Affirmations Are Like a Box of Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ever wonder what's wrong with the touchy-feely advice that's so popular now-a-days, telling people to stay positive, say affirmations, and just think good thoughts?

Every wonder why people aren't seeing success by doing these things?

Answer: Because there is no evidence that supports the premise that saying positive affirmations works. However, to give you a balanced viewpoint, The Positive Mindset Website has an article posted espousing the opposite opinion.

Sure, they make you feel good. But do they work?

Positive affirmations are like the chocolate chips in a box of chocolate chip cookies. If I asked you what made your chocolate chips cookies taste so good and you responded, "Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips are the key," well then, I would think it a simple solution and run right out and purchase said chocolate chips, wanting to duplicate your delicious results.

Though, as anyone knows, chocolate chips are but one ingredient in the chocolate chip cookie recipe. If I had not taken the time to quiz you about the other details of the recipe – Do you use butter or margarine or Crisco? Do you sift your flour or not? Do you use parchment paper or non-stick cooking sheets? Do you roll them into balls or drop from a spoon? – then I would not have all the information needed to duplicate your success.

That’s what people are doing wrong with affirmations. They are looking for the one thing that will make the difference. They are looking for the secret. For the key. They want success handed to them, rather than doing what it takes to suss out all the details. In short, they focus on one ingredient, to the exclusion of the  all. 

Starting up a business is a lot of work. There are some very practical, left-brain things that need to be in place for success to be achieved. Vision statements, business plans, niche identification, and marketing strategies are part-n-parcel of a successful business. So, if all you are doing is thinking positive thoughts and saying affirmations, you could be saying and thinking all you want 'til the cows come home. Without considering all the ingredients for success, it is unlikely your business will ever get off the ground.

So what do you think? Agree? Disagree? What has been your experience with saying affirmations? For me, I can tell you I have had great success when I've incuded them in my recipe for success. However, not as a stand along ingredient.

The original Accidental Pren-her™

Author of Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success

P.s. Here's one of my favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie recipes. Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
Yummmm!

INGREDIENTS                                                                

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons hot water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS                                               

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.                            
2. Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts. Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.
3. Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned.              

Do you have a favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe to share with us?

Comments

[Linda Childs at Bookmark This Spot]

When I've relied on just repeating affirmations, it felt as if I was wishing for "it" ( whatever I was affirming) to materialize. I did not have much success but lots of frustration. Now I'm combining affirmations with inner self inspired action which has produced more successful results. So what I surmise from your article is that affirmations are just one ingredient and not the whole cookie.Thanks Susan for clarifying what place affirmations have in the success formula.

[The Original Accidental Pren-her]

Linda, thank you for adding another reason why affirmations don't work -- hope without action is nothing more than hope. Therefore, instead of getting what you want, you get very good at saying affirmations.

[Mary Ellen Whitaker of voiceofclarity.com]

Actually, I believe affirmations do work! But it depends on the type of affirmation and what your purpose is. For example, repeating, "I own a million-dollar business" isn't likely to create that business for you. In fact, the difference between what you're affirming and your outer reality might just discourage you even more. However, if what you desire to change is YOUR OWN MIND, then affirmations can be the catalyst that starts turning you around. For example, affirming, "I love myself" can counter negative thought patterns such as "I'm a bad person." If you believe that everying in the outer world is a manifestation of your own thoughts (as many great teachers say), then nothing could be more important than starting at the root of your "problems" by gently turning around your negative thinking. Affirmations are only one tool that can help you do this.

[The Original Accidental Pren-her]

You brought so many wonderful things to the table, Mary Ellen, with your comment that contribute to why affirmations don't work, and what it takes to make them work.

For instance, if people don't buy into the concept that their outer world is a reflection of their inner world, then they probably don't believe they are responsible for their manifestations. So, displacing that responsibility to an "I am" affirmation, for example, displaces responsibility onto a third part action.

The other thing you mention that trips people up is their unwillingness to "get to the root" of what's causing the negative self-talk, outlook on life, and view of the world. It takes courage to dig in one's sandpile, as I like to say, and find out what the sand is covering up.

However, for someone, like you, who understands what goes into making affirmations work, then they can be a powerful tool for personal and business success.