Amazing power of positive affirmations: Lessons from Muhammed Ali

The words we speak each day can have a lasting impact on our lives. Either our utterances build us up, or they can pull us down. The choice is ours. Please, form the habit of positive affirmations or self-talk and stop condemning yourself. Stop telling yourself, “I’m such an idiot!” when you make mistakes, as we all do from time to time.

I have adapted ideas in this post from “The success principles” book by Jack Canfield. (No affiliation, just respect for a great author).

An affirmation or self-talk is “a statement that describes a goal in its already completed state”, according to Jack Canfield. Positive affirmations stretch our comfort zones. They bombard our subconscious minds with new ideas and thoughts of our future goals as already achieved in the present time.

Muhammed Ali was a notable master of the power of positive affirmations. In February 1964, at 22, he made a bold statement that changed his life forever. At that time, Mr Ali was not yet famous. 

Before his world title fight against Sonny Liston, Ali proclaimed that “I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.” He later explained, “I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.”

Muhammed Ali was a bombastic and proud man. He also affirmed his attributes: “I’m young; I’m handsome; I’m fast. I can’t possibly be beat.” He, however, succeeded in convincing the world. With a fierce commitment to training and positive self-talk, he won three World Boxing titles and became recognised as The Greatest of All Times (GOAT) in boxing.

Negative affirmations instead of positive affirmations

Most people talk to themselves daily, even if they do so, without thinking deeply about what they say. Some speak negativity, such as

• “I am an idiot”, or “I am not smart enough.”

• “I am not good enough.”

• “I am too fat, or too thin, or ugly.”

• “I do not merit the love of others.”

Self-fulfilling prophecies

Such negative affirmations lead to negative self-esteem. Negative self-esteem begets poor performance as a self-fulfilling prophecy. Also called the Pygmalion effect, self-fulfilling prophecy is the “process through which an originally false expectation leads to its own confirmation”.

Let’s explore how a self-fulfilling prophecy works. Let’s say that you keep telling yourself that you are “not smart enough” after a while; you will convince yourself that. You will then start behaving in ways that portray you as “not smart enough” in other people’s minds.

Negative self-talk is a big lie.

Solutions to negative affirmations

• Clear your lifelong emotional baggage. 

• Let go of all your limiting beliefs.

• Learn to transform your inner critic into an inner coach.

• Switch your negative self-talk with positive affirmations.

The power of positive affirmations

There is a better option than negative self-talk. It is a positive affirmation. Say out loud to yourself positive statements that reinforce your determination to tackle current life challenges and specific goals.

• You are smart enough.

• You are good enough

• You are beautiful the way you are

• You deserve the love of others

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Bible, Philippians 4:13

Guidelines for effective positive affirmations

• It would be best to affirm yourself, not for other people, positively. Each declaration should start with the first person singular, “I”. The word “I” commands the subconscious mind to action. 

• Use powerful verbs and speak in the present or present continuous tense. Describe your goal as if you had achieved it. For instance, “I am earning” and “I enjoy.”

• The best positive affirmations are in the positive. Speak what you want, not what you don’t want.

• Make your positive affirmations concise and straight to the point. Be as specific as possible.

• Include a feeling word such as eagerly, proudly, victoriously

• Stretch your imagination by adding “or something better” as the ending clause.

• It would help if you made positive affirmations for yourself, not others. Each declaration should start with the first person singular, “I”, followed by a powerful verb in the present or continuous tense. Then, describe your goal as if you had achieved it.

My favourite personal positive affirmations

• “I am invigorated by my completely pain-free, strong, flexible, healthy and perfect body, mind and spirit.”

• “I am a reservoir of joy, an oasis of peace, a pool of serenity that can ripple out to all those around me. I am therefore confident.”

• “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Positive affirmations are part of my regular morning routine.

I created the above positive affirmations amid personal adversity in which I suffer from chronic pain and cramps daily. Yet, I am positively affirming and hopeful that everything will be fine.

Please craft positive affirmations, let go of your limiting beliefs, and push outside your comfort zone. Your future self will thank you for doing that.

To Recap

The words we speak each day can alter our lives in a significant way. We should all let go of our limiting beliefs, all big lies. We should stop demeaning and condemning ourselves with negative statements when making mistakes. Instead, we should embrace the habit of positive affirmations.

Such positive affirmations will bombard our subconscious minds with new ideas and thoughts of our future goals as already achieved in the present time.

Do you have positive personal affirmations?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

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Thanks for your time.