carladacosta.com P OW E R AF F I R M AT I O N S to Spark C ha n ge and Suc c es s In Your L ife & Self Page 1
What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create. ~ BUDDHA I know the power of your own thoughts and the effect they have on your life and self for one reason. I experienced them in the extreme negative. My negative thinking led me into a world of unhappiness, starvation, mental illness and depressingly low self-confidence. Eventually culminating in finding myself, amongst other things, hospitalised as a teenager with an eating disorder. What I realized as I sat completely alone on my hospital bed- that if I could think and believe myself into such an overwhelmingly physically, spiritually and emotionally unwell place then so I could think and believe myself out of it. Before I even knew what an affirmation was, before this type of thinking even had a name in my world, I found myself occasionally starting to use affirmations. To move myself out of negative situations and environments, to help change how I felt about myself and as a result how I acted. At the beginning of 2014 I learnt that this way of thinking had a name. Affirmations. Who knew?!! After that realization I started to use them more consistently. To now, where affirmations, or power affirmations as I like to call them, are something I incorporate into my every day practice. In this book you will find 3 worksheets created for your own personal use. Fill these with the 2-3 power affirmations that you are currently using, reproduce these sheets as you need and place them where you will see them as you go about your day. Beside the bathroom sink, on the inside of the door you leave your house by, next to your bed, on your fridge. They were created to continually inspire you to use affirmations and help you to incorporate them simply into your day. Place them wherever works best for you. As you read this I want you to remember that anything is possible. Be kind to yourself. Keep an open mind. Keep this process fun and joyous. Bring heart and warmth to everything you do here. We are all works in process. Myself included. I truly believe that this way of thinking not only saved me from myself, but has also allowed me to be who I am today. In changing the way I thought I helped to transform the way I felt, and as a result what I thought I was capable of doing and bringing to this world. This way of thinking has lifted me up, given me the confidence to explore and try new and varying things, and continues to do so. I hope this collection of power affirmations resonate with you and create a shift for the better in your life. As they have done for me. Page 2
SECTION ONE: how to s Page 3
WHAT IS A POWER AFFIRMATION? Power affirmations are a thought technique used to help spark positive and permanent change in your life. Consider that every thought you think is a power affirmation. All of our internal self-talk, both negative and positive is a stream of thought that we subconsciously listen to on repeat throughout our day. This creates an internal belief system, one that we are often completely unaware of having. Many of your thoughts and beliefs work well for you, but others may actually be quietly sabotaging you. Holding you back from making changes in your life, limiting what you believe is possible for yourself to achieve, what you are worthy of having and who you are capable of becoming. We continually affirm to ourselves our internal beliefs with our words and thoughts. And this uncontrolled, unchecked flow of thought is what helps to create our life experience in every moment. Power affirmations can be used to challenge and undermine negative and limiting beliefs you hold about yourself. In the process of doing so, you replace them with positive, self-nurturing, open your eyes to all the possibilities in your life kind of beliefs. It is a kind of brainwashing, only you get to choose which negative beliefs to wash away. Power affirmations are more than just repeating words. They are a process of becoming aware of your internal thoughts and choosing to think and project happy positive thoughts instead. The more you can consciously inject the spirit and passion of your power thoughts into your self talk, the quicker they can spark change in your life and ultimately help move you towards reaching your dreams and goals. Page 4
Wake On Them. Dream On Them HOW TO INCORPORATE POWER THOUGHTS INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE Below are my suggestions for how to best incorporate power affirmations into your day. I say this knowing that some days this will happen and flow easily without any thought and that there will be other days where you may only have brief moments in your day to devote to thinking about your affirmations. Generally I like to work with no more than 2 or 3 power affirmations at a time and I change them when I intuitively feel like I m ready to move on to another. My ideal day - it starts by reading, or thinking over the power affirmations I m currently working on while I m lying in bed. Before my feet have even touched the floor. As my day continues I like to keep my power affirmations at the forefront of my mind. I leave written notes or affirmation cards around my house and desk so that I can notice, read and remember them as I go about my day. The most powerful way of using affirmations are to state them while looking in the mirror. Some of the most important and strongest messages and beliefs that you have about yourself (negative and positive) you have received from people looking you straight in the eye. By looking your own self in the eye as you state your power thoughts you magnify the importance of the message to yourself. At least once a day I do some form of mirror work, even if it s only quickly after putting on my moisturizer and brushing my teeth in the morning and night. However I can manage it, at some point in my day I look myself in the eye and remind myself repeatedly of what it is that I desire and and how I want to feel. Lastly, I like to dream on my power affirmations by simply repeating them over and over in my head before bedtime. I like to sit quietly on my own while I do this. Often sitting cross-legged on my bed in darkness. In this way I sleep on my positive thoughts. Repetition really is key to get the most out of these affirmations. They re not a say it once quick fix thought. In anything, do what works best for you. If you re an early riser and prefer to spend time sitting quietly with your power affirmations in the morning then do that. Most importantly state your affirmations with passion. The higher your emotional state as you say them, the more effective they will be at creating long lasting change in your life. Page 5
HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN POWER THOUGHTS You are free to create your own power thoughts to suit your own specific needs. Choose a phrase that describes what you desire. Make it a short, powerful statement that invokes strong feelings of inspiration and emotion in you. It must be in the present tense and my personal preference is for them to start with I. For example, I am creative and I express my creatively freely instead of I will be creative and I will express my creativity freely. Power thoughts should always be phrased in a positive tone. For example, I am open and willing to learn new things instead of I don t like the direction my career is taking me. As an example I created my own while launching my website for my online life coaching business. A process that for me felt both exciting and overwhelming. I deserve to have a fulfilling, prosperous life coaching career. I accept it now. SOME NOTES ON RESISTANCE My advice for you. Expect it!! The beliefs you are trying to change in yourself may be more long held and ingrained then you maybe realise. Rather than dismiss the idea of affirmations, ignore their existence entirely or decide not to go there at all, choose instead to lean into your resistance and consider the possibilities. Ask yourself Why am I truly resisting this? What would this mean for my life and self if it could be true? What would I be doing differently? How would I feel? Page 6
SECTION TWO: power affirmations
WHERE TO START? As mentioned before, the most powerful way to use affirmations is to state them while looking in the mirror. This is particularly true when dealing with our beliefs around self love, self confidence and self acceptance. Loving and appreciating our self completely, before anybody or anything else, is the first step in sparking true change in our lives. Most of us, whenever we look into the mirror will usually say something negative internally to ourselves. We criticize our looks, our body shapes, our wrinkles. Most of us will always find something to berate ourselves for. I particularly love this exercise by Louise L Hay to help counter beliefs around not feeling good enough and not loving our selves. It is the perfect place to begin and an affirmation that I continue to still use myself. Standing in front of the mirror, look yourself straight in the eye and say out loud to yourself, repeatedly and with heart I love and accept you exactly as you are. I find this a powerful exercise to do first at face level and then when you feel comfortable, one that is extremely powerful to do completely naked. If need be create a space in your day to be able to do this uninterrupted, or like me, use the time straight after your shower to do this exercise. Most importantly, be aware of your internal response as you repeat to yourself I love and accept you exactly as you are. Be gentle on yourself if you find this exercise difficult, confronting or upsetting. Don t shy away from this exercise. Embrace it and accept that sometimes loving ourselves completely, particularly as we age and change, is an ongoing process for some. Page 8
SUCCESS AND CAREER Everything I touch is a success. I can be as successful as I make up my mind to be Louise L Hay I am free to create success in my life- it s my choice Deepak Chopra I turn every experience into an opportunity Louise L Hay I trust my future to be positive Louise l Hay Whatever I can imagine, the Universe can deliver Esther and John Hicks I have faith in my ability to manifest my desires Deepak Chopra I have the ability and talent to achieve my desires and do so with gratitude, ease and grace, knowing all things are possible Miranda Kerr I celebrate the success of others. I know that my joy in celebrating them increases my own joy and success ~ CARLA DA COSTA I am willing to change Louise L Hay I create my world and I am receptive to new opportunities Louise L Hay I uplift everyone I meet. I choose to focus on people s positive traits and encourage them to do the same Miranda Kerr I now do work I love, and I am well paid for it Louise L Hay I am appreciated and well compensated wherever I work Louise L Hay When it is time for a new job, the perfect position presents itself easily Louise L Hay Page 9
SELF IMPROVEMENT AND DISCOVERY I deserve the best and I accept the best now Louise L Hay I am flexible Deepak Chopra I am in the process of positive change Louise L Hay I choose positive thoughts ~ CARLA DA COSTA I open new doors to life. I trust life to be wonderful Louise L Hay I am grateful for all that I have in life Deepak Chopra I let go of past hurts ~ CARLA DA COSTA I am surrounded by love. All is well Louise L Hay I am at peace with my body and myself Louise L Hay I follow my intuition and know that nothing is put before me that I cannot handle Louise L Hay I am a sensual, nurturing and compassionate woman. I am a woman of my word and I love who I am Miranda Kerr I flow freely as the rhythm of life unfolds before me. I let go Louise L Hay As I change my thoughts, the world around me changes Louise L Hay I have unlimited potential. Only good lies before me Louise L Hay I feel a deep well of peace at my core Louise L Hay My life is a reflection of the joy and love I feel inside ~ CARLA DA COSTA Page 10
HEALTH AND POSITIVE BODY IMAGE I love and treasure myself. I love who I am completely ~ CARLA DA COSTA I listen with love to my body Louise L Hay I am a vibrant, sexy and energized woman ~ CARLA DA COSTA I embrace healthy choices in my life ~ CARLA DA COSTA I move with vitality, ease and grace ~ CARLA DA COSTA Loving myself heals my life. I nourish my mind, body and soul I let go of all negativity that rests in my body and mind. Louise L Hay I lovingly do everything I can to assist my body in maintaining perfect health. Louise L Hay Page 11
PROSPERITY AND ABUNDANCE I prosper wherever I turn. I see opportunities for abundance everywhere in my life Louise L Hay I am open and receptive to new avenues of income Louise L Hay I am grateful for the financial freedoms that exist in my life ~ CARLA DA COSTA My income is constantly increasing Louise L Hay Abundance flows into my life with ease ~ CARLA DA COSTA I prosper wherever I turn and I know that I deserve prosperity of all kinds Louise L Hay I pay my bills with love as I know abundance flows freely through me Louise L Hay I delight in the financial security that is a constant in my life Louise L Hay I am a magnet for money. Prosperity of every kind is drawn to me Louise L Hay I move from poverty thinking to prosperity thinking and my finances reflect this change Louise L Hay I now receive my good from expected and unexpected sources Louise L Hay I am financially independent. I have more than I need ~ CARLA DA COSTA Page 12
EMBRACING AND PURSUING CREATIVITY I give myself permission to be creative. I am fully self expressed and never afraid to be who I really am. Miranda Kerr I celebrate my uniqueness. ~ CARLA DA COSTA I am a creative being and I express my creativity freely. ~ CARLA DA COSTA I recognize and express my unique talents Deepak Chopra I am creative. My words flow easily and beautifully. I can find inspiration at any time ~ CARLA DA COSTA My talents are in demand. My unique gifts are appreciated by those around me Louise L Hay I easily combine business with creativity. I am financially rewarded and appreciated for all that I do ~ CARLA DA COSTA Page 13
IMPROVING RELATIONSHIPS I am worth loving as I am Louise L Hay I experience loving people wherever I go ~ CARLA DA COSTA All my relationships are harmonious Louise L Hay My home is a peaceful haven that people love to visit. I put love in every corner and my home lovingly responds with warmth and comfort Louise L Hay I am at peace with my sexuality Louise L Hay I am surrounded by love and support. Everywhere I go I am cherished ~ CARLA DA COSTA I exude love and warmth. It is returned to me twofold ~ CARLA DA COSTA I enjoy the friendship and companionship of others Leon Nacson I deserve to be loved and cherished for who I am. I accept it now ~ CARLA DA COSTA I am focused on a healthy relationship with my partner ~ CARLA DA COSTA Page 14
WORKSHEETS
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ABOUT CARLA Carla Da Costa is a life coach and writer who lives in sunny Perth, Western Australia. Carla guides and supports women through their own journey of self discovery. She leaves her clients with a greater sense of personal fulfillment, inner happiness, and self-confidence. Carla believes that both kale and chocolate deserve a place on your plate and that life should never be taken so seriously that we don t ever take a chance on our dreams. Through her writing and coaching work Carla is devoted to inspiring others to love themselves more and to live the vibrantly full and fulfilled life they deserve and were destined for. CONNECT If you ve found the words in this book inspiring and useful I d love for you to share with me how and where you re using your worksheets using the #poweraffirmation hashtag. You can also find me on Facebook or Instagram, or of course send me an email. I would love to hear from you. Page 19
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