Ever tell yourself that you can't find something? You become more and more frustrated while you keep telling yourself that you can't find it and you can't. Then you ask someone for help and they point out that what you seeking was right in front of you the whole time! That's an affirmation. What you tell yourself becomes your reality because your unconscious mind does what you tell it to do. This is a negative example obviously, but affirmations produce very positive results when used in positive ways. To affirm means to "make firm" that which you are imaging.

Charlene Belitz and Meg Lundstrom, authors of the excellent book, "The Power of Flow" describe affirmations like this, " Affirmations are positive statements you make to yourself, which consciously program the unconscious part of your mind and set the stage for self-fulfilling prophecy. They can be extremely powerful in producing results ."

Just like the example I used from a prior article about the word "can't". Using this word alone becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. In training we tell players that if they tell us they can't they're right and to let us know when they change thier mind so we can teach them. We always tell the players how simple and easy what we're teaching is because this creates the belief within them that it is and that it's possible for them.

Affirmations can be said aloud, done silently, written or even chanted. A few guidelines:
When creating affirmations word them in the present tense as though what you are affirming is already reality. I am an incredible striker instead of I want to be an incredible striker .
Always word your affirmations in the positive. I have a great touch with the ball rather then I am no longer clumsy with the ball .
The shorter and simpler the better.
Always choose affirmations that feel right to you. What works for one person may not always work for another.
Create a feeling of belief that your affirmations can be true. When doing affirmations temporarily suspend any doubts you may have had, and put you full emotional and mental energy into them. Remember that you have the power to create your reality and you are in every moment.
Add visualization. This makes your affirmation even more powerful. Use as many senses as possible when doing affirmations and turn those senses up high. Make it in color, with movement, 360 degrees around you. Add sound and make it appealing and melodic. Feel the way you want knowing that what your saying is true and then double that feeling. See yourself in your imagination doing what you are affirming then step in so that your seeing it through your own eyes.
One way to make your affirmations even more powerful is to write them out 10 to 20 times a day and do it in first, second and third person. (For example, I Michael am a great communicator. Michael, you are a great communicator. Michael is a great communicator .



Some examples of affirmations:

I am an incredible soccer player.
I do fast footwork easily and effortlessly.
I am a great keeper.
Every day my skills are getting better.
I feel great about my abilities.
I am one with the ball.
I am an excellent keeper.
I am great at passing and shooting.
I am great at tackling the ball.

Good luck with these, you can start today. Write to me about your experiences at:

info@nolimitssoccer.com

Michael Mural
http://www.nolimitssoccer.com