Positive Affirmations are things we say to ourselves that build us up and make us strong. They empower us to take chances and to be our best. Thoughts run through our mind thousands of times a day and are often negative. Making positive affirmations a daily practice gives you a powerful tool to strengthen your inner foundation and follow your bliss.

1. Get over feeling funny. Doing something new takes practice and because it is unfamiliar it might feel funny at first. Get over it. So often, it doesn't feel funny to talk negatively to ourselves, but praise feels awkward. Just do it and don't worry if it feels funny. In time, you will feel less and less awkward.

2. Begin your affirmation with "I." The more you personalize what you say the more it will hit home and stick.

3. Put your affirmation in the present tense. Keeping the statement in the present will give it more power. Avoid can, will, could or should in your statements.

4. Make it short and sweet. Make the affirmation meaningful to you. If affirmations are too long, you may find it cumbersome or difficult to say on a regular basis. Longer affirmations work well during meditative moments.

5. Practice. Teaching our inner voice to speak well to us takes some practice. For most people it is an under developed muscle. Practice and your affirming voice will become stronger.

6. Clear vision. Hold a clear vision of what is possible for you in your life. Picture yourself absorbing the positive affirmations as they become a part of you.

7. Write it down. Writing down the positive affirmations helps your mind remember the new statements.

8. Repeat them often. Repetition facilitates learning. The more often you say positive affirmations the more they become a part of you.

9. Make them fun. Enjoy yourself with them. Laugh and hold out a sense of lightness.

10. Remember to be gentle. Remember that the more you nourish and cherish yourself the better able you are to live a life you love. Be patient and loving as you learn something new.

Ruth Zanes

Ruth Zanes has been a Business, Career and Personal Success Coach since 1985. Her broad range of experience prior to coaching includes consultant, business ownership and corporate executive for some of the world’s largest corporations.

Founder and lead coach of Unlimited Resources, Ruth says “the company is the natural culmination of my corporate career, business experience and my study and training in transformational technologies and human development.” Ruth is currently engaged in one-on-one individual, career and business coaching, group coaching, and leads workshops and seminars related to such topics as team building, leadership, personal growth, negotiation, etc. She is also a speaker at conferences and meetings on these same topics.

Business Owner Prior to Unlimited Resources, Ruth headed Strategic Resources, Inc. a multi-million dollar marketing consulting and marketing research company located in the New York Metro area for over 15 years. The company served corporations in many diverse industries with a distinguished client list that includes Fortune 500 companies such as, AT&T, American Express, Bristol-Myers, Citibank, Clairol, Coca Cola, GE and many others.

Corporate Executive A corporate executive with several Fortune 100 companies before she became a business owner, Ruth’s corporate career included executive marketing positions with companies such as: Avon Products, one of the world's largest cosmetics companies, Chesebrough-Pond's (now a division of Unilever), Clairol division of Bristol Myers, Grey Advertising and Foote, Cone & Belding advertising agencies.

Education Ruth is a graduate of Coach University and is on the faculty for this university. She has a B.A degree from Brooklyn College and did her graduate work in psychology and statistics at the New School for Social Research. She has spent more than 15 years of intensive study with CEU accredited transformational programs such as Landmark Education and has led a variety of seminars and workshops for these organizations.

Other Accomplisments The author for trade and professional publications, Ruth taught undergraduate courses in marketing at Jersey City State College and has served on the boards for professional and community organizations. She is listed in Who's Who of American Women, is an Executive Member of the American Marketing Association, a member of the International Coach Federation and Coachville and serves on the board of the Georgia Coaches.