Hi everyone,

I’ve been having some bouts with very negative self-talk lately, so I decided that the best way to beat it was to come up with something completely positive I could say to myself whenever I was feeling down.  This took me a while to write, but I’m very happy with it—and with the way it makes me feel when I read it.  I invite you to join me; it’s an incredibly powerful experience.

Ten True Things About Me

1. I am one of the smartest people I know.  I can learn anything, generally with only one repetition.
2. I am an effective teacher.  I can teach anything, provided I have enough time and have learned it properly.
3. I am an engaging performer.  I make a room-full of people laugh if I want to.  I can learn new songs on two or three repetitions if I try.
4. I am physically fit.  I take long walks most days of the week, and have trained for many years in karate.
5. I am a good, creative, and prolific writer.  Outside of school, I have written several dozen songs and poems and over seventy essays of Biblical analysis, and I have been published in four separate publications, one of them for pay.
6. I am a kind person.  I try to do everything I can to help my friends and family, whether physically or emotionally.
7. I am a social chameleon.  I can find a place with any group of people, given a few minutes to acclimatize. 
8. I am punctual and I value other people’s time.  I have never been late for an appointment or class except for reasons completely outside my control. 
9. I am good at managing my time.  I never pulled an all-nighter while I was in school and still handed in all my assignments on time.  At my summer job, I was more effective than any previous employee in my position.
10. I am grateful for my life.  I consider myself truly fortunate to be born in Canada, in the 20th century, to a good and prosperous family.  I am grateful for the people who love and care for me.  I am happy that I will always have reasons to be grateful.

*****

Here are some guidelines if you want to follow this model:
- Everything you write must be true.  If you’re just writing it because it *might* be true, or you *want* it to be true, your negative brain will rip it to shreds when you’re down.
- Everything you write must be 100% positive.  This isn’t the time for “yeah, but"s or exceptions.
- Try for 10.  If you can’t, do at least 5.
- Try to start each sentence with “I am.” They’re the two most powerful words in the English language.

I’m looking forward to reading everyone’s affirmations!

Cheers,
Julie

Ten true things about me

1) I am really goal oriented and take the daily steps to meeting the goals I desire.
2) I am a caring compationate person
3) I am a marathon runner and running is my passion
4) I have a stong desire to learn new things
5) I have just recently found I love interior design and have an act for it.
6) I love my boys and being a mom more than anything
7) I love to read
8) I love being outdoors and love nature and beauty of the outdooors
9) I am quiet by nature and I am a one to one type person
10) I am stronger than I think and am in the process of healing and growing and believing in me.

This was fun and I need to let go of my worry and fear and believe and trust that everything happens for a reason and life will be good even when things don’t go as we plan.  I am letting you of my old dreams and keeping my self open for growth and new opportunities and living each day to the fullest and counting my blessings not dwelling in my losses.

Hi Shanna,

Thanks for posting.  Actually, you gave me the opportunity to review my list, and it *still* makes me happy just to read it.  So thanks for giving me that opportunity!

Cheers,
Julie

I loved this idea, then I chickened out of doing it at the time. Lately, the stuff I post here on this site makes me look back at it and think how egotistical I sound! I don’t think I’m really like that, just using my journal to sound out the positives and hope they stick, and it’s better than writing defeatist stuff I guess…

Ten True Things About Me

1. I really generally try to do the right thing. Pick up litter, give honest feedback, say ‘no’ when I mean ‘no.’
2. I’m a stronger person than I ever realized, and recognizing that has made me both stronger and braver.
3. I’m good at what I do. I have a good head for my type of work and I try to do my best to improve all the time, as well as innovate and simplify.
4. I recognize and am grateful for the support and love from a lot of people in my life. I try to give every bit of it back.
5. I feel I’m very loyal and trustworthy.
6. When I have a conflict with someone, I try to truly put myself in his or her shoes and understand that often our differences aren’t a ‘fault’ but rather a ‘circumstance.’
7. I have a lot of curiosity, love investigating little niches of history, biographies, and so forth, and trying to take what I learn and apply it to my world.
8. I try not to let a day go by without allowing for at least a little joy.
9. I generally look for the ‘win-win’ solution, even if I already have a ‘win.’
10. I hold on to the positive, strong, courageous people in my life and try to support them as much as they inspire me.

I’m liking this thread. In the past I could dwell on all my negatives and get so down about it all. Acknowledging all that it good about ourselves is such a great thing to do! What’s more, it is recommended by The Word: “Acknowledging every good thing that is in you in Christ Jesus”!
Now I do quickly counter negative thoughts about myself with postive truths about myself instead. I also apply this to my husband and quickly counter any negative thoughts that try to show up with powerful truths about him instead!

Hey, I was thinking about this thread and this exercise tonight. I’ve just spent about a week working on my résumé, and have been fortunate enough to have a friend (who used to be a headhunter) really take a firm hand and walk me through the process, because he believes I haven’t quite lived up to my potential or been compensated for my contributions. So I spent a period of time coming up with descriptions of what I do and why each thing matters, how it effects the bottom line and productivity. I came out of it feeling like I’m pretty important and bring a lot to the table! This is something I would suggest everyone do. And it helps to have a friend, or even a stranger, step in for you. We teach ourselves not to toot our own horns, and I really couldn’t have made such an aggressive, attention-getting document on my own. Amazing!—A