Doggone It, People Like Me – Positive Affirmations With Chris Owen

What is Positive Affirmation, and what can it do for you?

If you have ever doubted your ability…if you have ever been afraid to step out of your comfort zone…if you have ever felt insecure about your position or knowledge…

This is for you.

In the mid to late 90’s there was a skit on Saturday Night Live titled “Positive Affirmations with Stuart Smalley”.  I remember laughing my way through his famous line “I’m good enough… I’m smart enough… and doggone it people like me!” while he turned and smiled at himself in the mirror.

Back then I laughed through the comedy without ever realizing the impact this type of thinking would have on my life. I had a rough childhood, and kept a lot of emotional baggage bottled up for years. I didn’t learn the power of positive thinking until later in life, when my circumstances forced me to step up or give up. I had to quit letting my past determine my future.

There was no gray area for me. Not stepping up, meant I was giving up whether I liked it or not. I was forced to become a better, stronger person. I was forced to believe in myself, and through that, I learned to believe in people.

You are no different than I am. Maybe you haven’t had that big test of character yet, or you didn’t handle it well. There is still hope for you. Life is all about discovery. The sooner you learn that, the sooner you will realize how powerful you really can be. This is where daily positive affirmations can change the way you look at yourself in the mirror.

Pop the Bubble

Living in your comfort zone, is like being in a bubble. You have to pop the bubble to get out and breath. Those first breaths are short and forced. You are breathing new air in a new atmosphere. But your lungs will adjust.

To start, you are going to have to tear a page out of the Stuart Smalley handbook (minus the misinformed self help addict approach),  start with some positive affirmations and end with a good long look in the mirror.

You Can Literally Speak Things Into Being

I know it sounds cheesy and a little 12 step-ish, but it works. Here is how you do it. Write down 3 of your weaknesses and 3 of your strengths. On a separate sheet rewrite all of those into strengths. If you are afraid to speak in public, write it like this:

“I am a great public speaker”.

Go through this list every day at least once in the morning, and once before bed. Try to see it, and feel good about it. Smile when you say it, and let the first thoughts of your morning, and the last thoughts of your day be positive affirmations.  The only real obstacle to success in your life, is you, your thinking, and your actions.

A friend of mine in Basic Training had never fired a gun. He was extremely afraid of failing out of the Army for his lack of skills. We worked together every day on positioning, breathing and technique. Most of all we worked on mindset. When he was later awarded a sharpshooter badge, the Drill Sergeant made the comment, “Pretty good for your first time out”. He responded, “I shot that score every night for two weeks prior to stepping out on that range”.

If you tell your mind it can do these things, it will begin to act accordingly.

I Believe In You. Now It’s Your Turn To Believe In Yourself

I really and truly believe that you can do these things. The problem is, even with the support of family and friends who know you, and can see your potential, it is still you who will have to move.

You may feel like there are so many things that you aren’t good at. The thing is you can be. All it takes is a desire to achieve, and the determination to see it through. You have to tell yourself you can do these things, and reprogram the negative thought process that holds you back. A good friend of mine, Dwayne Huggins speaks on this and becoming an Alpha Networker often. He is fine tuning the art of leadership. Check out some of his training and ideas. I think you’ll be glad you did. He has a great grasp on turning his weaknesses into strengths.

My wife asked me yesterday when I talked to her about writing this article; “What are some things you feel you are not good at? Maybe you can use them in the article.” The thing is, I couldn’t think of any. Not because I am good at everything, but because I don’t think that way. I spend my time building on my strengths. No matter how low the level of strength is to start, I never call it a weakness. It is just a strength in development.

When Pigs Fly

I have heard so many times, that the things I have accomplished are impossible. “You will never walk again”. “This is not for someone with your medical history”. The fact is, the only thing holding most people back is the programmed negativity that comes from their peers.

Get those people out of your life, and change your thinking. Remove the negativity, and begin to see yourself for how capable you truly are.

Did you know that the US sends millions of pounds of pork overseas each year?

Pigs fly every day.

Man on a Mission

When I took my first step after breaking my back, I was ecstatic. I was back on top of the world again, and going to prove that I could get back into combat. When I lifted my foot for the second step, the pain overloaded my nervous system and I hit the floor in muscle spasms, wishing I would die to end the pain.

That night, I lay strapped down to a hospital bed, talking to myself, and reassuring myself that I could do this. That is positive affirmation. I spoke it into being. The next day I tried again, and again…and again. I had never been tested so fully in my life. But in the end I passed the test.

I actually had a nurse tape a hand written sign above my bed reading, “pain is weakness, leaving your body”. I had no choice but to lie there and stare at that for hours every day.

Write these notes and hang them around your  house or office. Read them each time you pass by. I guarantee that you will begin to think in a whole new way.

“I’m good enough. I’m Smart enough, and Dog gone-it, people like me”.

This has been, Positive Affirmations with Chris Owen.

Chris Owen

Chris Owen Academy

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P.S. I love comments, so leave one below and be a part of the group. Tell us about the obstacles you’ve overcame, and what kind of positive affirmation you have in your life or any questions you may have. I respond to all comments.

P.S.S. Chris Owen is available for group training with his Mindset For Success programs, and also available for seminars and guest speaking. To reach Chris send an email to chris@chrisowenacademy.com.