A Complete Guide to Goal Setting for Personal Success

If there was a rule book of life, there would be one particular page that was highlighted, bold, and titled as most important. It would be the one which told you that you need to have an aim in your mind before you get on with the process. Yes, goal setting is important. In fact, it's more important than achieving the goal itself. This is because it is the sense of direction that is needed for you to fulfill any task in life. You don’t have to feel overwhelmed if this sounds new to you because, today, all the following information has got you covered. Today you’ll find out all about the importance of goal setting, types of goals, and tips to define realistic goals for yourself!

What is Goal Setting?

So, what exactly is goal setting? To understand that, you need to first recognize what goals are and how they are different from objectives, dreams, and expectations. A goal is basically your aim for the relative long-term future. It is the bigger umbrella, the main focus. Objectives, on the other hand, fall under the umbrella of goals. They are the stepping stones that help you achieve your goals. Let’s say you want to learn a new foreign language. Your goal here is to be fluent in the new language. Everything you do to achieve this goal, such as the daily tasks and learning aims, are the objectives. Similarly, your expectations, visions, and dreams are not your goals. If you wish to learn a new language someday, that is your dream. If you see yourself fluently speaking multiple foreign languages, that is your vision. If you think you’re capable of learning a new language, that is your expectation. However, if you aim to fulfill these visions, dreams, and expectations practically, that is your goal.

Why is Goal Setting Important?

Why should you bother with goal setting at all? Wouldn’t it be more convenient to just get on with your daily objectives, follow a dream or vision, and let life take you wherever? Well, if that’s what you want to do in your life, go ahead, but if you actually want to tick off things from your list of goals to achieve, goal setting is necessary. Setting a goal puts your brain to work in one specific direction. Believe it or not, by having a defined goal, your brain does its magic unconsciously, 24/7, with full efficiency, to achieve the desired results.((Confluence: Goal Setting Theory)) Goal setting is important to shift your focus, boost your motivation, and give you a sense of direction. Without formally defining a particular aim that you want to reach, you won’t be able to keep your objectives in line. Hence, this one tiny step can end up saving you a lot of hassle and time while also encouraging your productivity in the right regard.

Types of Goals

Before we move onto the technique of setting effective goals, we need to first take a look at all types of goals. These categories will not just help you brainstorm new goals for yourself, but it will also guide you to list down goals in the right way.

Time-Based Goals

One of the two broad categories of goals is based on time. These goals define how far in the future you want to achieve them.

Daily

There are certain small goals that you can easily achieve in a day or two. In fact, some of these daily goals can be recurring, too. For example, you may want to run for an hour every morning. Now, these daily goals can also serve as objectives for a long term goal. You may be running every day because, in the long-term, you want to increase your stamina. Daily goals are highly effective for people who want to improve their mental wellbeing, time management skills, and stress management.

Short-Term

Next in line are short-term goals. As you would have already guessed, these goals are aimed for the near future. The great thing about these goals is that they are generally easier to achieve. This is because short-term goals are set for the foreseeable future. You are aware of the circumstances and have an idea of how much the situation can change. That is unless, of course, something extremely unpredictable happens, the chances of which are quite slim. Just like daily goals, short-term goals may also serve as objectives for a long-term goal. Your short-term goal may be to lose 5 pounds in one month. That could be a goal in itself, or maybe it is just one objective to fulfill your goal to adopt a healthy lifestyle in the next 2 years. Another example of a short-term goal is to fulfill the checklist for promotion within the next 6 months. Or, you may want to reduce your screen time within the coming week.

Long-Term

Lastly, we have long-term goals that are meant to be completed over a stretched period. Whatever you want to achieve in a later stage of life is a long-term goal. An insurance plan, for example, is a long-term goal. Some long-term goals don’t have any time frame at all. They are goals that you want to accomplish at some point in your life. So, something like traveling the whole world is a lifelong goal with no specific time constraint at all. There’s one thing about long-term goals that isn’t great. They are the hardest to keep up with since you’re not seeing any huge achievements regularly. This may take a toll on your motivation. To tackle this problem, it is best to divide a long-term goal into various short-term and daily objectives so that you’re always tracking the progress you’re making.

Life-Based Goals

Moving forward, you can also categorize goals based on the results you want to achieve instead of the time period.

Career

Like all humans, you will always want to succeed and excel in your career. No one wants to stay where they are forever. Anything that has to do with this intention, regardless of the time frame, is a career goal. You can learn more about how to set successful career goals here.

Personal

The past few years have all been about emphasizing your personal health. So, when it comes to goals, how can we forget the ones that have to do with our personal gains? From health to finances to relationships, everything that brings you happiness and composure as a person is a personal goal. Whether you want to get rid of your debt, quit smoking, start a side hustle, get married, or have children, all these goals are personal and very important to have in your list of goals.

How to Set Goals

The best way to guarantee the fulfillment of goals is to set them the right way. Here’s how to do that.

SMART Goals

Every goal you define has to be smart.((University of California: SMART Goals: A How-To Guide)) No, we don’t mean the adjective. We’re referring to the acronym here. SMART stands for:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Relevant
• Time-Bound

In summary, every goal should be very well defined. It shouldn’t be generic or broad. Every detail should be clarified. If you want to start running, how often do you want to do it? How long will each session be? For how long will you continue this habit? There has to be a connection between your goals and beliefs or you’ll never be able to achieve the results you want. Most importantly, do not be unrealistic. You cannot learn to fly, and forcing yourself to try it is only going to demotivate and stress you out.

Some Rules

Whenever setting goals, keep a few things in mind. First and foremost, prioritize your goals. Things that you want to achieve the quickest should be worked on first. Never be selfish. There are people around you who will be affected by the things you do. Keep them in mind when defining goals. Lastly, do not let yourself forget the bigger picture. Whether it is the long-term result or the connection of the goal with your desire, keep it in mind to keep yourself from getting distracted.

How to Reach Your Goals

You can ensure your progress by following some foolproof tactics. The use of relevant helpful tools can also keep you on the right track.

Tactics

Now that you’ve set goals, you might be expecting some magic to happen and voila! Your goals have been achieved. Sorry to burst your bubble, but there’s no magic involved. You’ll have to work hard yourself. One rookie mistake that most people make is that they work on too many goals simultaneously. Focus on one thing at a time. Divide your goal into smaller, easily achievable tasks. Taking it one step at a time makes it way easier. However, do not break them down too much. For example, for long-term goals, you should go for weekly checkpoints instead of daily ones. Also, keep track of your progress. This will keep you motivated to work harder.

Tools

With so many categories of goals and so many aims, it is almost impossible to remember, let alone work, on all of them. Luckily, numerous goal tracker apps will help you keep track of your goals, as well as your plan to achieve every single one. Have at least one installed in your smartphone so that your plan is always within reach.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, goal setting is not rocket science. All that it takes is strong will power along with all the knowledge that you’ve learned so far. Try out the tactics and tips mentioned above to be able to set successful goals so that you can achieve the life that you want!

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Scientists recreate DNA damage caused by toxins from smoking

Researchers have recreated how toxins from smoking cause unique patterns of DNA damage. The discovery could help scientists better understand the cause of bladder cancer and the link to smoking. The causes of bladder cancer remain largely unknown, however smoking is seen as the main risk factor for the disease.

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Immune-regulating drug improves gum disease in mice

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What Is Gratitude and Why Is It Important?

On a general scale, gratitude can be thought of as a mental state of mind: you're consciously grateful for things and people in your life. Gratitude can also be thought of as small acts of acknowledging what and for whom you're grateful, such as calling up your best friend and telling them how much they mean to you. It's an act of expressing your gratitude that many may resonate with. You may have read or heard about gratitude in high volumes when it comes to positivity, health, and wellness. It has become one of the cornerstones of living a mindful life, and a tool used by many to achieve happiness, peace, and wellbeing. This article will dive into what gratitude is, why it's important, and how you can more concsciously implement it into your daily routine.

What is Gratitude?

According to Robert Emmons, a leading scientific expert on the topic, gratitude is "an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits we’ve received"((Greater Good Magazine: What is Gratitude?)). This suggests that gratitude is more than just actions; it is an intention that we speak to ourselves that affirms the good things and people in our life. Emmons goes on to explain that gratitude is also acknowledgement that the good things in our life often come from external sources. If you happen to believe in a higher power or are of a spiritual nature, gratitude becomes an offering of thanks to whatever you choose to believe in. Think about something or someone you're grateful for. In a moment of offering thanks for this thing or person to have come into your life, imagine where that "thanks" is being offered to: perhaps God, Universe, something esoteric that you believe watches over you, etc. This is what Emmons means when he's talking about external sources: in gratitude, we're offering our thanks for what we have in life, knowing that people and things come to us from seemingly divine places or chance. Emmons also calls gratitude, in this context, the "relationship-strengthening emotion." It reminds us that we're constantly supported and loved by others, and showing gratitude for those people is affirming their support. Therefore, gratitude can also be thought of as an emotion, since it is from our emotional state that we feel gratitude and are able to express it. Lastly, gratitude is also about "paying it forward." Sociologist Georg Simmel calls this act "the moral memory of mankind"((Oxford University Press: The Psychology of Gratitude)) It goes hand in hand that when we're feeling grateful and sharing that with others, it encourages the energy of gratitude to be passed down from person to person. It inspires us to keep the loving momentum going, and thus "pay it forward" to someone else. Simmel believes that this is how gratitude has existed over the years: in strengthened bonds between people who shared their gratitude with others.

Why Is Gratitude Important?

Now that you know what gratitude is, why is it important? According to a plethora of positive psychology research, gratitude has been strongly correlated with greater happiness and joy((Harvard Health Publishing: Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier)). If we subscribe to the theory that thoughts create our reality, we can easily see how this research plays out. Think about something or someone who brings you pure joy. When you think about this person or thing, begin to notice how you feel in your body. Likely, you'll feel a great opening sensation in your heart, or butterfly feelings of excitement in your belly. These physical sensations lead you into feeling grateful for this specific thing or person. In fact, you may feel lighter, more at peace, and happier. Practicing gratitude in such a way leads to more joy without a lot of effort: it's easy to be happy when you're grateful. Now think about something or someone who brings you pain or sorrow. Notice how this person or thing makes you feel, even if it's unpleasant. Do you get sensations of heaviness? Do your thoughts and feelings spiral into negativity? Focusing on the negative brings about more negativity. One feeds the other in the same way that gratitude brings about more joy. Therefore, from a perspective of mental health, gratitude plays a huge part in how we cater to our positivity and, therefore, our happiness. Additionally, mental health closely ties in with physical health. When we're mentally and emotionally in a good place, our physical health follows: we have more energy, we sleep better, we make better dietary choices, we breathe easier, etc. Likewise, when we're deep in negativity, our mental health suffers. We're more prone to depression and anxiety, and this causes high blood pressure, insomnia, body aches and pain, and a slew of other symptoms and diseases. Practicing gratitude is a tool by which we ensure our wholesome, optimal health.

How to Practice Gratitude

Now that you know what gratitude is and why it's important, it's worth noting some ways of practicing gratitude in your daily routine. These suggestions need not be complicated or take up too much time: the simpler the better. It's the intention that counts!((Happify Daily: The Science Behind Gratitude (and How It Can Change Your Life)))

1. Start a Gratitude Journal

Whether you do this at night or first thing in the morning, make a list of everything you're grateful for. Start by listing 3-5 things, and you can work your way up later if you wish. You'll be surprised at how this can change your perspective and shift your day for the better.

2. Make a Gratitude Jar

For every moment of gratitude, write a note on a piece of paper and toss it into a jar. On New Year's Eve, open up the notes and remind yourself of all the wonderful moments you were grateful for throughout the year.

3. Write a Letter

Take some time to write a letter to someone you're grateful for. Handwritten letters carry so much loving energy! Not only are you sharing your gratitude with this person, but that person may be inspired to pay it forward to someone else. Some days, you may find yourself unable to express gratitude. This may be because you're going through a hard time or facing an unprecedented challenge. Take this moment to practice gratitude anyway. Identify the challenge you're facing and think about what silver lining or life lesson lives in this challenge. Then, offer your gratitude for giving you wisdom, strength, and courage((Inc.: 7 Easy Gratitude Exercises That Make Even the Most Pessimistic People Happier)).

Final Thoughts

Gratitude can be thought of as an emotion, a mental state of mind, or an affirmation of something or someone good in your life. Whatever way you choose to define it, is a personal choice that is meant to bring you closer to joy and happiness. The importance of practicing gratitude, in small steps throughout your day, is a vital tool in maintaining optimal mental, physical, and emotional health. It also acts as a ripple of positivity in your relationships, social circles, and community. We can all practice gratitude and pay it forward for a better, kinder world.

More Tips on Gratitude

• 6 Ways To Implement More Gratitude In Your Life
• Why an Attitude of Gratitude Is Essential (And How to Develop It)
• 32 Things You Should Be Grateful For

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How to Attract Like-Minded People to Inspire You

Do you have key people in your life that influence your success? You know, those like-minded people who inspire you to be, do, or have more in your life and career - do you have those? If you answered no, why is that? Because the reality is, if you go and talk to any highly successful person, you’ll likely find that they’ve got several people like that in their lives. So, it’s clearly important. However, although we know it’s important to connect with like-minded people, doing it is a separate issue. Perhaps you’re not sure where to start or exactly how to do it. I’m going to share with you why connecting with like-minded people is so important, as well as 3 tips on how to do it in fun and effective ways.

Why Is Connecting With Like-Minded People Important?

Tony Robbins frequently talks about how “success leaves clues.” What he’s referencing in that statement is the fact that if you want to be successful, you should model those who are already where you want to be. And you know what? He’s right. Success is not an independent journey. We’ve all had to rely on others to get us to where we are, and we will continue to have to lean on others, in some way, shape, or form, to get to where we want to go. Now, if having role models in life can impact your success, imagine actually having a relationship with them. As the old African Proverb says,

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Connection breeds confidence, and confidence breeds results. Therefore, your ability to surround yourself with people who motivate, inspire, and hold you accountable is important to your success. We can see this by the growth of the mastermind group concept and people collaborating together. There’s no disputing the importance of connecting with like-minded people. So, if you’re on the bandwagon and are ready to connect with others who will inspire you, hold you accountable, and push you to higher levels of success, then keep reading.

1. Define Your Values

Think of connecting with others like going to the grocery store. When you go to the store with a list, it’s quick and easy. But, if you don’t have a list, it can be frustrating, time-consuming, and you may walk out feeling like you never want to do it again. What this example points out is that clarity is key. One of the reasons so many people get frustrated with traditional networking or connecting, in general, is because they feel like it’s not bearing fruit. They spend all this time meeting people but don’t really connect with them. Well, part of the reason they run into this issue is that it's not yet exactly clear for them who they’d like to connect with. And more importantly, they haven’t done so from a value perspective. There’s nothing worse than getting into a friendship or relationship with someone, only to find out later that the two of you don’t value the same things. That can often signal trouble for the relationship because we often avoid being around people who have different values than us. That’s why Jim Rohn famously said, “you become the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” It’s critical to define your core values because they are the things that are most important to you. If you want to connect with like-minded people, you have to know what would make them like-minded or not. But to do that, you must define your values first.

2. Create a Plan

Call me crazy, but I’m a sucker for a good plan. The assurance that comes with knowing that you’ve got a process or map in place helps to alleviate the stress that can come with not knowing what to do. Because, for many, not knowing what to do, or where to start, is a big hurdle to overcome when it comes to connection. Once you’ve gotten clarity on exactly who you want to connect with, based on your core values, the next step is to create a plan. This will be your roadmap of sorts - it’ll ensure that you’re on track and doing the right things according to your goals. A few things to keep in mind when it comes to creating your connection plan are:

• Determine where your like-minded people hang out.
• Decide which means of connection resonate with you.
• Figure out how much time you want to dedicate to connecting with them.

Where Are They Hanging Out?

An essential component of connecting with people you want is knowing where to find them. For example, if you’re someone who values being a family person, you’re not likely to find your tribe of people at a bar or club frequented by singles. Get clear on where the people you want to connect with are hanging out, so you can then determine which places you want to meet them in.

How Are You Going to Connect?

Once you’ve determined where your like-minded people are hanging out, you then have to decide how and where you’re going to engage with them. Chances are, there are going to be multiple ways you can connect (i.e. in-person networking events, seminars/live events, mastermind groups, other online forums, etc.), so you can determine which one best suits you. If you’re an introvert by nature and want to ease into connecting with people, then starting online through groups and forums may be right up your alley. On the other hand, if you’re looking for that in-person connection around a shared passion, live events and seminars are great options. And if you’re a total extrovert and want to connect with people in your local area, networking events are a possibility. The key is to pick the options that you think will allow you to be comfortable so that you can genuinely connect with people.

How Much Time Will You Spend?

The last thing you want to determine when creating your connection plan is how much time you want to dedicate to it. Are you going to try to attend a live event a month? Perhaps you have to be present and engage for an hour in some online group. Regardless, connecting with like-minded people is just like anything else you want to be successful at - it requires action. If you’re serious about really attracting people who inspire you and will allow you to transform your life, then you can’t leave it up to chance. Figure out how much time you want to dedicate to this, and stick to it.

3. Put Yourself Out There

The last step to attracting and connecting with like-minded people is to put yourself out there. We have this innate fear of judgment, and we hold ourselves back in so many ways from living the life that we desire. But in the words of Bruce Lee, “courage is not the absence of fear, it is the ability to act in the presence of fear.” For most people, just the thought of connecting with strangers and potentially being judged is enough to stop them in their tracks. But you have to be willing to push forward despite that fear. Having connections is essential to a quality life, and it can be transformative to your success. But you have to be willing to face the fear and do it. Once you’ve done connection tip two, and have created your plan, stick to it. Treat it like it’s a contract that has a stiff penalty if you break it. In fact, you can even come up with some penalties of your own to ensure that you stick to it. For example, a friend of mine, who is a huge New York Giants football fan, wrote a check for an uncomfortable sum of money to the Dallas Cowboys - the arch-rivals of his beloved team. He then gave his best friend permission to mail that check if he didn’t follow through on building his business. Accountability works wonders when it comes to creating a result. So, if you’re serious about wanting to attract and connect with like-minded people who inspire you, consider creating an accountability system of your own. Either way, you have to be willing to get out there and actually connect in order to attract the right people.

You Can Attract Like-Minded People

Making connections can be intimidating if you allow it to be. But, if you do the things I’ve outlined above, it will be a lot easier to do without all of the potential fear and overwhelm. Remember, start by getting clear on who you want to connect with and attract based on your core values. You have to know what you value to know whether someone actually is “like-minded.” Secondly, create a plan for connecting. So much of the overwhelming feeling when attracting the right people into our lives is from not knowing where to start or what to do. But like every other thing you want to be successful at, if you create a connection plan, things will be so much clearer for you. Lastly, you have to take action and put yourself out there. Don’t let the fears of potential judgment or rejection hold you back. If you do those three things, you’ll have no problem attracting and connecting with like-minded people who inspire you.

More Tips to Help You Connect with Others

• 10 Best Ways To Build Long Term Connections With People You Сan’t Hold With
• 5 Questions Professional Relationship Builders Ask To Connect With Anybody (And Move Beyond Chit-Chatting)
• 7 Types of People You Should Connect With On LinkedIn

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New tool measures quality of life in people with dementia

University of Queensland researchers say a new tool to measure of the quality of life of people with dementia will result in better targeted care for those living with the condition.

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50 Self-Affirmations to Help You Stay Motivated Every Day

Contrary to popular belief, a self affirmation will work to motivate you, but there's a catch: it is only effective if you have high self-esteem. According to a 2009 study,((SemanticScholar: Positive self-statements: power for some, peril for others)) present-tense positive affirmations had a positive effect on people with high self-esteem but a negative effect on people with low self-esteem. The researchers found that people with already low levels of self-esteem who made present-tense (“I am…”) positive affirmations actually ended up feeling worse than people who made positive statements but were also allowed to consider ways in which the statements might be inaccurate. Therefore, if you have low self-esteem, repeatedly telling yourself how great you are won’t help you because, deep down, you don't believe what you’re saying. It’s important to keep that in mind before you start yelling out affirmations every morning. However, if you’ve got your mind right, and you’ve got confidence in yourself and your abilities (i.e. self-esteem), then choosing a positive self affirmation from the list below could be a great way to boost your motivation.

50 Positive Self-Affirmations

Think of this as a menu of options. Each morning, immediately upon rising, select a few and say them out loud and/or write them down. Doing this will set the tone for your day and get you moving in a positive direction.

1. I am successful.
2. I am confident.
3. I am powerful.
4. I am strong.
5. I am getting better and better every day.
6. All I need is within me right now.
7. I wake up motivated.
8. I am an unstoppable force of nature.
9. I am a living, breathing example of motivation.
10. I am living with abundance.
11. I am having a positive and inspiring impact on the people I come into contact with.
12. I am inspiring people through my work.
13. I’m rising above the thoughts that are trying to make me angry or afraid.
14. Today is a phenomenal day.
15. I am turning DOWN the volume of negativity in my life, while simultaneously turning UP the volume of positivity.
16. I am filled with focus.
17. I am not pushed by my problems; I am led by my dreams.
18. I am grateful for everything I have in my life.
19. I am independent and self-sufficient.
20. I can be whatever I want to be.
21. I am not defined my by past; I am driven by my future.
22. I use obstacles to motivate me to learn and grow.
23. Today will be a productive day.
24. I am intelligent and focused.
25. I feel more grateful each day.
26. I am getting healthier every day.
27. Each and every day, I am getting closer to achieving my goals.
28. Through the power of my thoughts and words, incredible transformations are happening in me and within my life right now.
29. I am constantly growing and evolving into a better person.
30. I’m freeing myself from all destructive doubt and fear.
31. I accept myself for who I am and create peace, power and confidence of mind and of heart.
32. I am going to forgive myself and free myself. I deserve to forgive and be forgiven.
33. I am healing and strengthening every day.
34. I’ve made it through hard times before, and I've come out stronger and better because of them. I'm going to make it through this.
35. I do not waste away a single day of my life. I squeeze every ounce of value out of each of my days on this planet—today, tomorrow, and everyday.
36. I must remember the incredible power I possess within me to achieve anything I desire.
37. I do not engage with people who try to penetrate my mind with unhelpful thoughts and ideas—I walk away when a person or a situation isn’t healthy for me.
38. I belong in this world; there are people that care about me and my worth.
39. My past might be ugly, but I am still beautiful.
40. I have made mistakes, but I will not let them define me.
41. My soul radiates from the inside and warms the souls of others.
42. I don't compare myself to others. The only person I compare myself to is the person I was yesterday. And as long as the person I am today is even the tiniest bit better than the person I was yesterday—I'm meeting my own definition of success.
43. Note to self: I am going to make you so proud.
44. I finish what matters and let go of what does not.
45. I feed my spirit. I train my body. I focus my mind. This is my time.
46. My life has meaning. What I do has meaning. My actions are meaningful and inspiring.
47. What I have done today was the best I was able to do today. And for that, I am thankful.
48. One small positive thought in the morning can change my whole day. So, today I rise with a powerful thought to set the tone and allow success to reverberate through every moment of my day.
49. I set goals and go after them with all the determination I can muster. When I do this, my own skills and talents will take me to places that amaze me.
50. Happiness is a choice, and today I choose to be happy.

How to Use Self-Affirmations

Daily self talk((MeaningfulHQ: Your Self-Talk Determines Your Self-Worth)) is a simple and highly effective self-affirmation technique in which you begin each day by talking to yourself (i.e. your non-conscious mind) as if you were talking to someone that was eagerly ready and willing to receive and carry out your orders, instructions, or suggestions. Here’s how it works: Instead of speaking to yourself as a single individual, speak to yourself as if you were divided into a group of three: your thoughts, your emotions, and your body. Use a self affirmation from the list below to guide you or to help you create your own self affirmation.

For Your Thoughts

Thoughts, listen up! Stop being so scattered. Stop wasting your time and energy with fears, doubts, worries, and past memories that don’t do us any good. From now on I want you to think positive, powerful, purpose-driven thoughts. Think about love. Think about beautiful and inspiring things. Think about how we’ll overcome our obstacles and crush our goals. Think about our vision for the future and our plans for achieving it. Think about helping others and contributing to the greater good. Think about new ideas. Think about ways of improving. Think only of thoughts that I can use to better myself. If any other thoughts come along, look at them, kick them out, and go back to useful thoughts.

For Your Emotions

Emotions, listen up! Stop dwelling on fears and anxieties, the pain and problems from the past. Stop holding on to anger, guilt, resentment, jealousy, and similar emotions. When any of these emotions arise, go ahead and feel those feelings for a little bit, and then let them fly away and replace them with empowering feelings. I want you to dwell upon empowering emotions, successful feelings, good feelings, happy feelings, confident feelings, loving feelings, and feelings filled with optimism. I want you to experience these kinds of emotions as often as possible moving forward.

For Your Body

Body, listen up! You are phenomenal, and you do all kinds of wonderful things like pump blood through my body, replenish and rejuvenate my cells, and allow my heart to beat over a hundred thousand times a day — all without me ever even having to tell you to do so. But now I want you to do everything even better. I want you to increase our energy. I want you to increase our strength. I want you to increase our health in every possible way, so that we do everything at the highest level and maintain a perpetual state of peak performance. It’s time to be even more skillful and graceful in all you do, to utilize every ounce of food and air even more effectively than you already do, and to stop any habits that inhibit our strength, energy, vitality and health. And body, I want you to relax more, feel pleasure more, enjoy life more, and give more pleasure to others.

Thank You

Thank you Thoughts, thank you Emotions, thank you Body, thank you for being the unstoppable force of nature that I am!

Final Thoughts

Self-affirmations don’t have to be aspirational in nature; you can use them for maintenance, too. For example, you might already consider yourself a confident person, but that doesn't mean you can't consistently use a motivational affirmation like, “I am confident” to reminder yourself to keep that confidence-train chugging along. After all, that’s what personal development is all about in the first place — maintaining a constant and never-ending dedication to lead yourself — to keep growing and getting better every day. Personal development is not a one-and-done game; it’s a one-on-one game with yourself that never ends. Also, keep in mind that affirmations aren’t a science. In actuality, you may get cheerful compliance from yourself (or your subconscious) with some affirmations, push-back with others, and straight-up resistance with others. So what do you do? Keep affirming your greatness. Keep giving yourself the commands you want carried out until you get results... And then keep going.

More Tips on Creating a Self Affirmation

• 10 Positive Affirmations for Success that will Change your Life
• How a Gratitude Journal and Positive Affirmations Can Change Your Life
• 15 Ways to Practice Positive Self-Talk for Success

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