Up to now, I’ve talked about affirmations to deal with emotional issues. I’ve also touched on it to help with physical fitness and raising children. Still, there is one area where affirmations can be the difference between success and failure.

Motivation.

Have you ever started a project just to lose interest halfway through? Did working on it become a hassle? Something you tried to avoid?

Don’t worry, it happens to all of us.

My grandmother used to get on my case all the time for starting things and never finishing them. Unfortunately, this became a self-fulfilling prophecy for a long time. Right out of the gate, I’m enthusiastic and work hard. Over time, however, my enthusiasm wanes. The hardness of the work sets in. And I quit.

Or at least, I used to.

Then I stumbled on a secret.

I learned that I could use affirmations to get and stay motivated.

No, not the frantic, excited motivation that comes with starting a new project. More like a steady low hum of motivation. A sense of looking forward to the next part of the task. I’ve applied this to writing. To my day job. To housework, even. It’s effectiveness with housework is debatable.

How can you get motivated with affirmations?

Easy. Create and use a strong motivation statement. Make it specific and positive. It should give you a mental kick in the pants.

“I enjoy writing each day because my readers need to know what I have to say.”

Not only does this motivate me to write, it also keeps me focused on why I write. That is often all the motivation I need.

What is it you need to do? State it as specifically and in as few words as possible. Do you need to clean the kitchen? Do you need to write that expense report? Whatever it is, write it down.

Why are you doing this project? If you are cleaning the kitchen, maybe it is so you and your significant other can have a romantic meal in there later. Or it could simply be that you want to keep the bugs out. That expense report might be the difference between a full paycheck and half a paycheck.

In both of the cases above, a simple motivational affirmation can help:

• “I keep the kitchen clean to keep bugs out of my house.”
• “The kitchen is more romantic when it’s clean.”

• “This expense report is impressing my boss.”
• “I am being reimbursed for all of my expenses because of this report.”

You can even be somewhat silly, and it will work. The use of humor with affirmations boosts their effectiveness.

For example: “Cleaning kitchens is sexy.” “Expense reports rule.”

Granted, these statements are ridiculous. But if they work, that’s all that matters.

Affirm your project today!