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Can Affirmations be improved with NLP?

By Chris Harrison - Posted May 2005


I have used affirmations in the past, and I believe that they do work, but compared to the NLP techniques I use now, it's like trying to cut down a tree with a paper knife. I prefer a chainsaw every time. There are a number of problems that occur when people use this self-help technique:
  1. Tone of Voice: When you repeat the words is the voice you use one of conviction? Do you truly believe that you deserve what you are affirming and believe that you can achieve it, or is there doubt in your view?
  2. Repeatability: Are you going to keep on repeating your wish until it comes true? If you are tenacious enough to keep going with affirmations then you're probably motivated enough to achieve your goals without them,
  3. Clarity: Beware of what you wish for it may come true. Hoping to be rich seems to have no downside, but would you really like to gain the riches you want through the death of a relative? It's important to be specific about how you are going to achieve the goal. Affirmations tend to be more successful if they are process rather than goal driven.
  4. Appropriateness: Asking for a Ferrari may make you happy, but it is not something that you can achieve without taking action. Affirmations work far better if they are based on something you can change, such as your behavior, rather than the intervention of some kind of "Ferrari Fairy". (Note: If anyone does have an email address for an actual "Ferrari Fairy", then please forward it to me).
  5. End Result or Process: Statements based upon a result, can make you act and feel as if you have already achieved the goal. If so, then why bother actually trying to achieve the goal? Well that is what your unconscious thinks..

Rather than affirmations, various NLP techniques can be used, such as time lines or motivation strategies, or you can use hypnotic language patterns within your affirmations. Checkout the milton model patterns, specifically presuppositions and embedded commands to really supercharge your affirmations and make them work for you.

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