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

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