Positive affirmations have been around for awhile as a tool for self improvement. Earlier self help authors discussed this technique as a means of shaping the results in your life in a favorable way. Napoleon Hill called it "auto-suggestion". Joe Karbo labeled it "Dyna/Psych". But they were essentially talking about the same thing.

There is nothing complicated, sexy, or high-tech about positive affirmations. I bet that's why more people don't use affirmations on a regular basis. They might try it for a few days. But invariably, most underachievers drop this simplistic method, in search of greener pastures elsewhere. Sadly, either that search goes on endlessly, or they withdraw from the process, having decided that the life they have now is as good as it gets.

But positive affirmations can produce terrific results. They alter the internal programming that's been subconsciously guiding and directing your life.

What are affirmations? They are nothing more than a series of positive statements that represent favorable outcomes. They are designed to shift one's own self concept. A famous example is Emile Coue's "Every day in every way, I am getting better and better." Another example is "I believe in myself and my ability to learn new things."

Note that both examples are simple statements. They are stated in the present tense and spoken in the first person. These are key characteristics of positive affirmations. It's you making a declaration about your desired outcome, and accepting it as your reality NOW.

The examples cited above are general in nature, but you can make them as specific as you want.

Positive affirmations work to overcome the negative programming that most of us have accumulated over time. We've been slammed by teachers, parents, coaches, friends, lovers, and bosses at one time or another and this has diminished our self image and our ability to seize control and shape our destiny the way we want. According to leading self-help expert, Bob Proctor, "You cannot outperform your own self image." So for change to take place in our lives, we have to to look at the programming that's been installed.

Positive affirmations are one way to re-shift your self-concept and magnetize your goals towards you. It won't happen in a day or a week. But if you stick with it and use them consistently, positive affirmations will pay off handsomely for you. Repetition is the key. Make it part of your daily routine and your reality will shift accordingly.

Here's a secret to making your affirmations even more powerful. Speak them with feeling. Put your heart and soul into the words as you speak them. Feel it as real, as though it's already part of your existence. Feel it in every fiber of your being.

Positive affirmations work best when used in combination with creative visualization. First create the image in your mind about what you want. Then deliver supportive reinforcement with affirmations. It's a one-two punch that can turn a street kid into the heavyweight champion of the world.