We know having a high vibration is necessary to creating our goals and dreams. Having good self-esteem is important to that process. A common practice people use to boost self-esteem or create positive change in their lives is to use affirmations.
But here’s the thing—if your subconscious mind doesn’t believe in what you’re saying, the affirmation will actually make things worse.
Why? Because as you say the affirmation, your mind will begin to tell you all reasons it isn’t true. Those have been your default thoughts and beliefs. So instead of inputting new, supportive thoughts, your mind will bring up all the self-defeating thoughts it believes. You’ll know that’s happening if you pay attention to how you feel as you say an affirmation. If you feel contracted in any way, you’ve got resistance to the new thought.
I’ve written about this before, and suggested putting “I’ve decided” or “I choose to” before the affirmation. The mind can’t argue with a decision or a choice. These are great techniques that work well.
I’d like to add a third option that I recently learned from neuroscientist Dr. Irene O’Brien. It’s called the directed abstraction technique. I’m really excited about it! It uses specific personal success to support a more positive, general —abstract—view of yourself.
Here’s how it works to boost your self-esteem:
In the directed abstraction technique you complete the following statement: “This went well today, because I am __________.”
This works because the first part of the statement is proof for the second part.
For example:
“My talk went well today because I am a good speaker.” You don’t think of yourself as a good speaker, but your talk went well, so your brain accepts it.
“The meeting went well today because I am a good leader.” Your meeting went well so you have proof that you’re a good leader, and your brain accepts it.
“My yoga students did well today because I am a skilled instructor.”
Your students did well so you have proof you’re a skilled instructor, so your brain accepts it.
Dr. O’Brien cautions that it’s important to complete the “I am” portion of the statement as something you are (your qualities) rather than something you can do. You’re wanting to change how you think about who you are rather than things you do.
How to use the directed abstraction technique as a daily practice:
- Sit down at the end of each day and choose 3 things that went well that day.
- Choose the best 3 things from your day, even if you initially think you weren’t involved in something going well—because you were.
- For each thing you choose, complete the directed abstraction statement:
“This went well today because I am_______.”
Do this for as long as it takes to boost your self-esteem. You will probably feel a difference within a few days.
It’s such a fun, simple and effective exercise that you can do indefinitely to keep both your self-esteem and your vibration up!
Let me know how this is working for you.
