Reality Check – or is it just Your Programming?

What are the 2 most powerful words we can say to our self? I AM. “I am” programs our current state of being. Whether in the negative or the positive, it sets up our body to experience what we are saying. Think about it. Did you wake up and say to yourself; “I am so tired,” or “I am refreshed and ready for the day?”

Sometimes without even realizing it, we can be our own worst critics and say things that our body then believes.

Do you say:

“I’m fat” or “I’m a lean, mean machine!”

“I’m broke” or “I’m attracting everything I need and more.”

What I have realized is that this often happens at an unconscious level. I have to:
1-stop – think consciously about what I have been thinking about
2-change it right then and there
3-feel the new I am statement in my body for a reality check

Brian Tracy says we need to “release the brakes!”

Here is a little recording excerpt from a piece I do when I speak in front of audiences:


How can you change your I AM statements today to reflect a more positive day? How are you feeling right now that might have been created by I AM statements?

 

Ann Evanston, MA, has been named by About.com as one of the Top Six Marketing Consultants, Feb 2011, and recognized in the Huffington Post for her unique approach in using Facebook to increase profits though giving. In October 2008 Ann created the Social Networking Coaching Club, a forum where you get personalized support to learn how to “discover your REAL edge” and make more online in less time with integrity.
  • http://www.save-your-breath.com Rowena Starling

    Wise words that bear repeating like a mantra.  It’s all about I AM. ..The I AM Principle.

  • http://twitter.com/MosaicTutoring Cory Zacker

    Most people don’t realize they can choose their attitude. Our go-to action is to just react. What a terrific reminder to stop, think and really decide how you’re going to respond to a situation. Meditation is something that can really help with this. Meditation teaches you to relax the mind, step back and really look at thoughts as they occur to you. Instead of getting angry and frustrated because your plane is delayed, meditation would teach you to step back and look at your reaction. “There I go getting angry again. I’m going to observe that and move on.” Thanks for this priceless advice, Ann.

  • http://www.fierceover50.com Julie Labes

    Ann. I am living proof that this works as it has happened to me twice in my lifetime. In the other two times when I said “I am” I was not just saying it, I truly believed it and even though it was not true for me at the time…It became my truth over time

  • http://pathtofatloss.com annadornier

    I love this post and the audio! I have experienced this same change in my life. Just the simple act of changing my attitude is bringing me success and happiness in all facets of my life. Thanks for the reminder, Ann.

  • Maurinex

    I am statements started my reprogramming effort 2 1/2 years ago. I listened to a 21 minute affirmations CD almost every day for 90 days and I WAS thinking and being differently. From that point on, I starting recognizing all the negative beliefs I have controlling my life. I knew that I didn’t want that showing up as “my reality” any more, so I have made it my mission to release limiting beliefs.

    I agree we can CHOOSE our ATTITUDE. It may be work, but it sure is worth the journey!

  • Carolyn CJ Jones

    Good points, Ann. How very true about one’s attitude… choosing to be positive vs negative. It’s an affirmation each time you talk to yourself in a positive tone. That sets up a powerful vibration with the universe, which will come back to us in the manner in which we put it out there. ie, positive is matched in kind, as is negativity.

  • Analucia Novak

    Hi Ann, when I was a young girl, I read somewhere in the bible “as a man thinks, he is” an that has stayed with me all of my life.Your blog post sates to stop and catch ourselves and consciously say positive affirmations. Starting our day with prayer/positive thinking and setting positive expectations can really set the day right. Even if a curve ball is thrown into the mix, having a positive optimistic attitude, combined with faith helps people get through each day. Thank you for the reminder to watch our internal dialogue and to hold ourselves accountable for how we choose to think. Ou decisions always cone from how we think.

  • Brandy Mychals

    I like the sound bit…interesting :-) Attitude is everything and it amazes me how I can go through the same situation 2x and one time I am miserable and the other time I handle it fine. The only difference was my attitude and perspective. What I find challenging is trying to always maintain the right attitude when faced with “reality”…sometimes it is a release to just be pist…as long as you don't live there. Thanks for the post :-)
    Brandy Mychals

  • Donna McCord

    So true! Thank you for the reminder, Ann. It is so easy to throw a self-pity party or play the victim; but it is so much more liberating and rewarding to make that choice for a positive attitude. One of my favorite parts of the Bible is Philippians chapter 4, verse 8 which says, “…whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Basically, focus on the positive! I have to remind myself of this every day and remember that I AM so blessed in so many ways and I AM loved.

  • http://adonovan.aupairnews.com amy donovan

    such an awesome post on a very powerful topic. many people don't seem to realize the ability they have to choose their attitudes + the great effects that choice can have. by choosing a more positive attitude, they can literally change the tone of their moods, their days, + ultimately create more successes. the moment that you realize the immense control you have over your attitude is the moment that you begin to have more positive, productive + successful days. thanks, ann.

  • http://www.bourncreative.com JenniferBourn

    Ann – I completely agree with you! I AM is a powerful statement all on it own … but even more so when you can pair it with an uplifting, empowering, head trash squashing affirmation. An exercise I walk my clients through is getting all of their problems, and excuses out on paper, and turning each one into a positive affirmation they can recited every morning until their mindset shifts. Mindset adjustment has been a big part of my breakthrough and just recognizing and rephrasing our thoughts can make a big difference.

  • Candace C. Davenport

    Good post- in the same vein as my post for next week (assuming I make the 10). It is so internal and some times comes out sideways when we go external with our feelings. And it is such a slight difference to how we reference something (negatively vs. positively). It's hard to be a human sometimes!

    Candace C. Davenport
    http://www.OurLittleBooks.com

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/GVRLJYBXZDUH5GZ66C4YAXPG5I CAROLYN

    Very good point – choose your attitude. It took me many years into sobriety to realize I could choose. In fact, I couldn't choose until I had done some healing. Then I saw the choice. What a freeing thing!

  • http://home-decorating-makeovers.com/ Jennifer Duchene

    Amazing how the right attitude makes life so much easier and more pleasurable. Believe, and manifest the possibilities. Brain Candy Darcie? love it. We really are masters of our own ships, we steer the course. The way the trip pans out is entirely up to our attitude. Attitude creates perception. Perception shapes the journey, and the treasure we amass along the way feeds directly from and back to our own attitude.

  • nutrition evolution

    Funny, I was just talking about this exact subject. We definitely influence reality with our positive or negative thoughts and ideas. I see it with clients. “I can't quit drinking soda” vs “That will be hard, but I know it's possible” Just a slight shift in perception can be the difference in making lasting changes instead of always talking yourself out of the changes (I cant, not good enough, etc). Great post and reminder for everyone.

  • Jean Bentley

    Something I struggle with from time to time. I realize that the longer you take to do step 1 the harder it is to do step 2.

  • http://twitter.com/AtticusUncensor Atticus Uncensored

    Words are so powerful—especially the words we repeat to ourselves. Some say, attitude is everything, and you certainly affirmed that case in your post.
    Darcie commented about “brain candy”, which I found interesting. For me, blogging though the eyes of my dog, is that “brain candy”. If my self-talk is trending towards the negative “I am's”, I think of what my dog's perception might be. And, from his point of view, everything is seen in a positive light.
    I know that some folks find this corny or silly, but, actually, I look at my dog as an embodiment of my better self. This has become a great tool for me, when my own attitude needs an adjustment.
    Thanks for the terrific post!

  • http://louiseedington.wordpress.com Louise Edington

    Oh heavens – that synergy thing again! Just reading The Secret between other books. Also reminds me of that quote I love 'If You Change the Way You Look at Things The Things You Look At Change' – Wayne Dyer. I am trying to Miss super positive at all times right now so much so that i think I'm getting on some people's nerves. In fact my BFF's husband just unfriended me on FB and I think this is why. I was a bit upset for a short while but you know I'm going to kill him with smiles and positivity next time I see him and hope some of it rubs off because he's quite the misery at times and I AM happy right now so AM not going to let anyone else's negativity get me down.
    louiseedington.wordpress.com

  • ireneturner

    Oh Yea!!!! I absolutely believe this. Both the choice, and the personal talk…I am so happy to hear this! I am…

  • http://www.billbrowning.com Bill Browning

    I misspelled advice. I am going to preview my comment next time.

  • http://www.billbrowning.com Bill Browning

    I am. What a powerful declaration. Great advise on doing it consciously and wisely.

  • http://www.mywealthspa.com Darcie Newton

    Nice counter to the “I'm a realist” argument. It seems that so many enjoy the drama that comes with a negative attitude…like they find safety there.

    One of the ways I battle any negative thoughts is I have several types of what I call “brain candy”…things I love to think about, things that always make me smile. Anytime I have a negative thought…like “this isn't going to work out” or “this is going to be embarrassing”…I engage the 'brain candy' and then when I relook at the negative thought I can turn it around instantly.

    What is your 'brain candy'?