Comments on: Why Affirmations Don’t Work

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:07:00 +0000

I agree that mindlessly repeating a phrase over and over isn’t likely to be an effective way of overcoming low self-esteem. But I’m not sure that the most effective alternative is to surround yourself with supportive people.

a) That’s a task that’s easier said than done, especially if you aren’t feeling great about yourself to begin with. It may involve cutting certain people out of your life, actively trying to meet new people, joining new groups and then evaluating whether they are indeed supportive, and then evaluating whether you actually gel with them.

b) Even if you do create a supportive crèche for yourself, and even if those wonderfully supportive people do make you feel better when you’re with them, that’s no guarantee that the next time a colleague/customer/stranger insults you, or is condescending towards you, that you’ll be *any* better equipped to deal with it.

I work as a therapist, and time and again I’ve come across insecure people who can carry round insults, past “sins”, and the certainty that they’re worthless in the face of endless reassurance from friends and family.

Your support network isn’t, of course, irrelevant to self-esteem; people’s opinions about you do tend to contribute to your self-concept.

But I suspect you’d agree that it’s far from the whole answer, and in my experience, examining the beliefs you hold about yourself, and the attributional styles you habitually adopt can still be a tremendously worthwhile endeavour.

I’ve written a few more thoughts on this area here: http://www.exploringtrance.com/how-to-make-affirmations-work/

By: Chuckcdt

Chuckcdt — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:01:00 +0000

Affirmations work because they lead to actions. Often people think about something before they do it. Thoughts have been proven to have a chemical impact on the brain. These chemicals have an affect on the brains neuroplasticity. Affirmations are a form of self talk utilizing thoughts. The scientific evidence is there for anyone who wishes to research it.

By: Martinyusuf1

Martinyusuf1 — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 09:05:00 +0000

hi I have read your commentary on affirmations and I would have to say that your information stream in my opinion is shallow and narrowminded when we grow up the social commentary we recieve about our lives from parents teachers etc forms our opinion of who we are.This programing and condition to a large extent forms a core belief system within us .some people think that this is who they are and would never feel a need to change this as they are not self aware enough to create a comparison within their minds to look upon themselves from another position .This detachment and self reflection is the beginning of a journey into wholeness.Affrimations can be used as a powerful tool to speed up this process.Postive self talk can be useful but in no way can it be used in the same context of affirmations .Affirmations are actually one of the oldest spiritual tools for transformation and they are not a recent new age development by any stretch of the imagination

By: matt

matt — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 02:05:00 +0000

Carlon,
It must get pretty tiresome having to read comments by gullible morons all day.
Im starting to believe my friend Jason more and more, whose belief was 90 percent of people
are idiots.

By: Guest

Guest — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:21:00 +0000

Positive affirmations are not necessarily untruthful; more often than not they are just an alternative perspective. People who are too negative are self-defeating. They’re not going to do anything to improve, because they already believe they’ve lost the game. There’s no point in that. You need a certain level of self-confidence to take risks, and if positive affirmations help people get there, then they should use them.

For example: Maybe your situation does suck. Perhaps you are surrounded by assholes who criticize everything compulsively. Well, you’re not going to get yourself out of that situation without self-esteem. Making new acquaintances means putting yourself out there. If your current group has torn you down so much that you feel worthless, you’re not going to take that risk.

You can challenge and change your thoughts. There are many legitimate and effective therapies based on making you believe what you, as a patient, may perceive as “lies.” Cognitive behavioral therapy is one such treatment that helps people deal with their anxious thoughts. People undergoing the treatment aren’t expected to suddenly get better at life, but rather think more positively about their situations. And it does act like a self-fulfilling prophecy in many cases; people believe they are doing better so they do.

By: Darlene

Darlene — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 03:14:00 +0000

My grandmother, smart woman, was amazed with all this enhancing your self-esteem speak from the 1970′s. Her answer to the self esteem problem, is what you stated, Do something, and get good at it, and you will have self esteem. And, you are correct with “feeling”, thought proceeds action and action proceeds feelings. So, you must have a thought/dream/desire, then you must take some kind of action (thinking is not an action), then the “feeling” will follow. Affirmations may help some people actually formulate a course of action. But, none-the-less, you have to get off your butt and do something.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:53:00 +0000

I disagree. It’ amazing how actions can change a person’s mindset. It’s also amazing how a person’s self image is transformed by the people around them. And words not followed by actions are empty. Actions are all that matter..if you don’t believe me, then tell me why you judge people based on their actions and not their “mindsets”.

By: Mari

Mari — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:48:00 +0000

No action will ever help if you are stuck in a limited mindset, period.Affirmations did work form me and changed my life.Keep your limitations for your self and don’t spread negativity where it’s not needed.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:37:00 +0000

I found that it’s easier to change your actions than to change your “mind”. Actions are easier to control and they lead to your mind changing.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:36:00 +0000

Your final point hits the nail on the head. Change means taking action. I find that affirmations are a way to FEEL like we are taking action but really doesn’t have the desired long-term effect. Unless you believe that your thoughts control the universe. I don’t share such a belief.

It’s much different than a meditation practice.