You know how you get all warm and fuzzy inside when someone compliments you? A nice feeling. Have you ever stopped to consider that you can tell yourself complimentary things about yourself as well? It’s okay. As a matter of fact – it is necessary for success.

Those statements of self-compliment are positive affirmations, and thousands of successful people use them to shape their minds into accepting the affirmed truth and then acting upon it.

I started using positive affirmations about two months ago. I began simply: three short statements that I recited out loud each morning. I also recited them before bed. I’d sometimes reciting them while driving to and from appointments. They were:

• I have many financial opportunities.
• My home is clean and tidy everyday.
• I am grateful for the many blessings in my life.

Four days later I rewrote them, tweaking the existing affirmations and adding a few more:

• I take full advantage of the many and profitable financial opportunities that come my way.
• My home is always clean and tidy and my family helps keep it that way.
• I am worth the time and effort it takes to make myself and my family healthy and delicious meals.
• I focus on the tasks that propel me forward towards my goals.
• I am grateful for the many blessing in my life.

Today I have 16 affirmations, including those above, that I recite every morning, some evenings, and whenever else I choose.

I began to see results immediately. Not all of these statements were “true” when I wrote them (and some still aren’t). But I want them all to be true and feel true. I am grateful for my many blessings, but I didn’t use to take the time to reflect on what those blessings are. Now I do – everyday. I’ve found myself become more gracious and forgiving.

The bane of my existence was the daily questions from my children of “what’s for dinner?” I don’t particularly like to cook (so much time to make – so little appreciation). At the same time I wanted my family to eat healthy meals, but I was often choosing quick, processed foods because it was an easier choice to make. My family deserved better – and so did I. Once I began reciting “I am worth the time and effort it takes to make myself and my family healthy and delicious meals” – I found myself in the kitchen contemplating and preparing something more complex that frozen pizza. Interestingly, my family has started verbally appreciating the new meals; I didn’t even prompt them, and they weren’t aware of my affirmation.

If you don’t already incorporate affirmations – positive affirmations – into your daily life, I encourage you to do so. Start small: three simple, short sentences with action verbs. If when you say it the words just don’t seem quite right – tweak it until it flows easily. Repeat each one three times every morning, out loud. You can also write each affirmation ten times daily if you prefer not to speak aloud.

Here’s a few to get you started:

• I make healthy eating choices.
• I have many financial opportunities.
• I am in a loving and supportive relationship.
• My home is clean and tidy everyday.
• I let go of fear and pain. I live in love.
• I am full of energy and vitality.
• My mind is calm and peaceful.
• I am beautiful/handsome.