ABMP Student Success Curriculum Topic 3: Positive Affirmations

2. Goals of This Lecture Understand the roots of negative thought. Investigate thinking patterns. Use positive affirmations to achieve goals.

3. What is Negative Thinking? Negative thinking is an accumulation of limiting messages and labels that build up over time. Behaviors that indicate pervasive negative thinking: Complaining Blaming others Self-criticism Judgment of others Gossip Resentment Feeling powerless

4. Where does negativity come from? In general, it is a build up of negative experiences that could include: Home environment as a child Experiences in school Messages from the media Unhealthy relationships People can’t avoid negativity, but they can choose how they respond to it.

5. Just Thinking Watch your own thinking. A thought is just a thought. People often give some thoughts a great deal of power. Label all thoughts as “just thinking” and choose the things you think—carefully.

6. Be Curious About Thoughts What am I saying to myself? How does this make me feel? Where does this thought come from and what is its history? How does this thought serve me? How does this thought hold me back?

7. Internal Voices Activity Goals: Label internal voices. Become aware of repetitive messages. Identify the three or four voices that are most prevalent in your thinking.

8. Positive Affirmation Defined A positive and nurturing statement that counteracts negative self-talk and supports goal achievement. Stanford Center for Disease Prevention Study Meditation & affirmation enhance psychological and physical well- being.

9. Types of Affirmations I AM statements I CAN statements I WILL statements Process affirmations

10. I AM Statements Affirm positive attributes & strengths. I am courageous. I am creative. I am forgiving. I am intelligent. I am relaxed.

11. I CAN Statements Affirm the ability to accomplish a goal or take control of a situation I can be honest about my feelings. I can take risks and share my ideas in massage class. I can learn this material and get an A on the test.

12. I WILL Statements I will statements can be more powerful than I can statements. I will offer my comments in class today. I will get an A grade on my pathology quiz. I will add to the positive classroom energy today.

13. Process Affirmations Remind the user that everyday is a chance to grow and make improvements. Moment by moment, day by day, in every hour and every way, I am working towards learning better study skills. Moment by moment, day by day, in every hour and every way, I can share my ideas without fear.

14. Objections to Affirmations Sometimes the conscious mind objects; “That’s impossible! It will never happen!” Write the affirmation to overcome the objection. Moment by moment, day by day, in every hour and every way, I find new ways to earn the money I need to pay my credit card debt.

15. Ways to Utilize Affirmations Tack affirmations around your room. Keep your top five in your pocket. Record them and listen in the car while driving. Repeat them in the morning and afternoon. Write them on cards; pull a card each morning to read before your day begins. Make a poster with pictures that convey the message of your affirmation.

16. Affirmations & Goal Setting Turn to the monthly goal section of the Massage Year Planner. Write an affirmation for each of your monthly goals. Share one goal and affirmation with the class.

Break!

17. Worksheet 3-1, Page 36 Turn to worksheet 3-1 on page 36 in your Student Success Guide. Complete the worksheet. Break into groups of three and share two important affirmations with your group.

18. Thanking Mode A practice that teaches people to look at what is good and valuable in life— right now.

19. Process Positive Affirmations How do you feel about using positive affirmations? Do you think you will use positive affirmations to achieve academic goals? How do you feel about your experience in school thus far? How is it like what you imagined? How is it different?

ABMP Student Success Curriculum Find additional resources at ABMP.com.