I get it. You’ve read a few articles on money affirmations, and you’re suspicious.
If not, you should be.
Most articles on affirmations are cheerful tales about repeating outlandish hooey and faking it ‘til you make it. And all of a sudden, money starts pouring from the sky?
Suffice it to say. It doesn’t work that way.
In this post, we’ll cover:
- Why most people fail with money affirmations
- The reason why you and I are not as wealthy as we should be
- The plan and habits you need to install (before money affirmations)
- 21 believable money affirmations to get you started
- Important money affirmation lessons from “Think and Grow Rich”
- The scientific reason why affirmations work.
But first, let’s get our definitions straight …
What are money affirmations?
Money affirmations, or self-suggestion, are positive statements in the present tense which describe desirable, specific goals in completed states.
A money affirmation example is: “I see wealth-making opportunities wherever I look.”
If you’re broke today, you will probably find the above statement hard even to whisper. Initially though, the conflicting situation is okay. The point is that if you repeat positive affirmations over and over, your subconscious mind eventually accepts this “truth” and goes to work. If you stay in the process, you will receive new ideas, thoughts, and behaviors made to fulfill your affirmations.
Affirmations are ways to control and focus the mind’s otherwise random thoughts that seldom bring you closer to your goals.
You’ve probably experienced it before. If you believe something is going wrong, your subconscious mind will obey and carry out your commands.
Why most affirmations never work
The words of your money affirmations and self-suggestion is not as important as how they make you feel.
For example, saying: “I am the richest person in the world” when you’re knee-deep in debt is not going to sneak by your bullshit detector.
You need to feel good and confident to manifest results. Hence, your money affirmations need to be ambitious, but also believable.
Instead of “I make money all the time,” you can make it more believable with a little tweak: “I know it’s possible to make more money.”
Never forget, the feeling matters more than the words.
What’s holding you back?
The reason why you and I are not as wealthy as we should be is because of these two and a half words:
Self-limiting beliefs.
Your self-limiting comes in two forms. Sometimes it’s laziness. You don’t want to push yourself because you’re “satisfied” with your current money situation.
Other times you don’t believe you deserve wealth, or you make excuses for not pursuing economic freedom.
Self-limiting beliefs transform into negative money affirmations examples like:
- I am too old to pursue wealth
- The timing is just not right
- I am not intelligent enough to get rich
- I will never catch a lucky break
- I’m not from a wealthy family; it just isn’t in my DNA
- More money will probably change my personality for the worse
- I’m doing okay financially, so why push it so hard?
All of these are negative affirmations, which are excuses not to act.
Instead, you should ask yourself:
“Why are you not doing better financially right now?”
I started asking myself this question a few years ago. My situation was this: A job with a very average salary, massive mortgage ringing in every month, student debt staring at me, and a busy family life with two small children.
One day, I realized that good fortune wasn’t going to fall from the sky. I had to change my mindset. I had to become a new, better version of myself. And I had to bombard my mind with positive money affirmations and influences if things were ever going to change.
But I didn’t start with money affirmations. I started with a plan.
My 5-step plan that comes BEFORE money affirmations
If you only focus on affirmations, you will most likely fail.
Just ask Jim Rohn:
Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion
Jim Rohn
Your money affirmations needs to include taking action. Build a plan and new habits.
These are the five things I do to create my own financial freedom.
1. Uncover your current net worth
First, you need an honest look at your financial health. Outline your current net worth in a spreadsheet: assets you own on one side and liabilities you owe on the other side. The difference is your net worth. There are tons of templates out there, just search and find one that suits you.
Based on your current net worth, decide your desired future net worth. And plan how and when you’ll get there. Pay off debt faster? Invest in real estate? Remember to update your net worth sheet and look backward to track your forward progress. Do this monthly, or at least every quarter.
2. Assessment of your money beliefs and habits
After looking at your net worth, take an honest look back at how you used to handle money. How did you get here? Too much debt and no investments? Happy hour too often and no savings?
This assessment might hurt a little, but it’s a necessary process to create better money awareness. Don’t get overwhelmed in the process, though. Decide on the most important three things you will stop doing from now on. For example, “I will never buy anything on loan again.”
3. Find the resources that can help you achieve your financial goals
Start building focus, skills, and a money mindset by reading books from the best. Like Warren Buffett, Robert Kiyosaki, or Dave Ramsey. You will realize it’s all about becoming a better version of yourself. Money is a byproduct of becoming financially independent.
If you want to learn how to invest, follow podcasts or sign up to trustworthy services to expand your mind and get investment ideas. I always listen to Moneyline with Matt McCall and The Investor Podcast. Listen and read the right sources to get external money affirmations.
4. Automate wealth building
Do you know the expression: “nothing is guaranteed except death, taxes, and investments?” You’re right, that’s not how the old saying goes. But what if you started viewing your investments as definite as death and taxes?
You never forget to “pay” taxes because the money is already gone when you receive your paycheck. Most people don’t invest because they look at their bank account, and sure enough, there’s never any money to invest. Pay yourself before you pay anyone else – do this by automating your investments with a set transfer to your investment account each month.
5. Build evidence that displays your money progress
You already have your net worth sheet, which tells you most of the story and progress. I have also found that checking my investment app (stock portfolio) functions as a “money affirmation.” I can easily see the numbers move up, and it speaks to me: “Yes, my net worth is increasing.” My portfolio is evidence of progress. It’s encouraging and very tangible. And it reinforces that I do more of what I’m doing.
With your new system and habits in place, you’re finally ready to add money affirmations to the mix.
21 influential and believable money affirmation examples
With the above plan, here is my first, and favorite, money affirmation:
“I am in complete control of my financial future.”
(It’s much more believable now after you know the plan, right?)
Here are 20 other money affirmation examples to get you started:
- I enjoy the freedom that comes with financial abundance
- I am worthy of a wealthy life
- I can create as much wealth as I want
- I attract money when I feel good about money
- I deserve to make more money
- I always look for new sources of income
- I am a student of finances, markets, and wealth
- I have time and patience to build wealth
- I know the compound effect is always working in my favor
- I trust in my ability to provide for my family
- I am optimistic when thinking of my opportunities
- I am open to all wealth life offers me
- I like money because it can improve life for my family and me
- I was meant to achieve financial freedom
- I believe money enables opportunities and experiences
- I am in complete charge of creating wealth
- I deserve to be paid well for my skills and knowledge
- I can handle greater amounts of money
- I always receive more money than I spend
- I can look at my finances with joy
Lessons from “Think and Grow Rich”
Think and Grow Rich is probably the first self-help book to describe the importance of autosuggestion, also known as affirmations.
Your subconscious mind recognizes and acts upon only thoughts which have been well-mixed with emotion or feeling.
Napoleon Hill in Think and Grow Rich
According to Think and Grow Rich, you will need a written statement of your desire for money, read it twice a day. Cap this session off by seeing and feeling that you already have the money in your possession. It’s essential to have the exact amount of money you desire to make this exercise as concrete and as vivid as possible.
This way, you communicate your desire directly to your subconscious mind in a spirit of absolute faith. Through repetition, you create thought habits, which will turn desire into its monetary equivalent.
The above is what Napoleon Hill calls developing your “money consciousness.”
If you do this consistently, the plan will flash into your mind as an inspiration. Be sure to grab the idea and act upon it. Or you could start by using my 5-step method outlined above.
Do affirmations work?
In short, yes.
Science concludes that affirmations work. And here’s why.
Your conscious mind does the thinking. Your subconscious mind, however, absorbs information and uses this to control your behavior and feelings when you’re acting on autopilot most of the day.
According to Harvard Business School professor Gerald Zaltman, an incredible 95 % of your thoughts and behavior comes from the subconscious mind.
If you want to change your money mindset, attitude, or behavior, you have to reprogram your subconscious mind. An effective way to achieve this is through affirmations and autosuggestion.
As you know by now, affirmations are conscious, positive messages that will eventually register in your subconscious mind.
Your subconscious mind will start to believe what you are saying due to repetition and consistency over time.
Use affirmations to ignite your financial mindset
Affirmations are practical, positive propaganda to your mind.
Willpower will only take you so far. If your thoughts are negative, affirmations can help you build your positive, money mindset.
Don’t feel guilty about your desire to be prosperous and be able to afford a good life.
Money isn’t about greed. Money brings opportunities, choice, and comfort into your life, for you and your family. You’ll have the financial freedom to travel more, pursue hobbies, and the power to decide what you spend your precious time on.
But for heaven’s sake, don’t just focus on affirmations. You have to do the necessary work, too:
“It is easier to act yourself into a new way of thinking than it is to think yourself into a new way of acting.”
Millard Fuller
4 tips if you want to write affirmations
- Start with the present tense, like “I am.” Never what you’re going to be.
- Only use positive, emotional words. Be careful what you let into your subconscious mind.
- State your affirmations as a fact or have already happened.
- Make sure you believe the choice of words and feel them.
