From the Archives

Found this interesting article when I was looking for some details of old body measurement stats - it is interesting!


Playing mind games that help you win. Molding a winning attitude with affirmations.
By Gary A. Beale, Ph.D.

A winning attitude is a self-confident attitude. One of the most efficient and effective ways of building
a winning attitude is through the use of affirmations. An affirmation is a brief, positive statement that confirms and supports the achievement of a goal. Affirmations are not necessarily statements of
current reality, but they are the images of your accomplished goals.

Once you have developed realistic, achievable goals you are ready to create an effective set of affirmations. Writing at least one short, positive, supportive statement for every goal that you identify creates affirmations. The steps that must be taken to achieve each goal are also used as the basis
for action provoking affirmative statements. The following suggestions are helpful to the process and should be used when writing affirmations:

(1) Be personal – (Use I, me, my, or your first name)
“I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INTENSITY OF MY PERFORMANCE.
(2) Be positive -
“I CONSISTENTLY STRIVE TO COMPETE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF MY POTENTIAL!”
(3) Use the present tense -
“I AM CONFIDENT OF MY ABILITY TO BE SELECTED TO THE NATIONAL TEAM.”
(4) Phrase your affirmation as if the goal was already accomplished -
“I AM IN IDEAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CONDITION.”

(5) Change yourself not the other person -
“I STAY FOCUSED ON MY GOALS AND I AM UNAFFECTED BY THE BEHAVIOR OF OTHERS.”

(6) Do not compare yourself with anyone -”I AM TENACIOUS ABOUT DOING MY VERY BEST!” Avoid “I am more tenacious than Herman!”

(7) Use action words -
“I TAKE CHARGE OF MY THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS WHENEVER I TRAIN.”

(8) Be realistic, but stretch –
“I HAVE THE SELF-DISCIPLINE NEEDED TO CONSISTENTLY FINISH IN THE TOP THREE.”

(9) Use feeling words –
“I LOVE THE FEELING I GET FROM COMPETING AT MY BEST!”

(10) Avoid and eliminate –
“I CAN…” or “I WILL…” or “I ALWAYS…” or “I NEVER…”

Affirmations do not have to be believed but they do have to be believable and repeated often to
become internalized. When affirmations are stated and repeated with feeling they have the power to stimulate goal oriented action and focus attention on the successful mastery of critical tasks and skills.

Affirmations, when stated aloud at least once every day, tend to gradually replace doubts and negative thoughts with feelings of confidence and positive self-esteem. They support and enhance internal dialogues that are consistent with successful goal achievement. Post your affirmations in conspicuous places that will cause you to notice them and encourage you to say them aloud often. If you make it a habit to say your affirmations aloud at least once every day, you will be amazed at their positive effect on you, your attitude and your performance.

©Copyright 1997, Sierra Center for Peak Performance