In the world of real estate and beyond, the practice of writing down affirmations can often be met with skepticism. Many people question whether something as simple as writing down your desires and intentions can genuinely impact your success and productivity. So are affirmations an empowering visualization habit that accelerate goal-getting, or are they plain stupid?

Briefly: What Are Affirmations?

Affirmations are positive statements that can help you to challenge and overcome self-sabotaging and negative thoughts. When you repeat them often – or better, write them down daily – and believe in them – you can start to make positive changes. The idea is that by changing your thought patterns, you can change your reality.

The Catch: Belief and Desire

The effectiveness of affirmations comes down to two crucial elements: belief and desire. Writing down, “I am a successful real estate agent who closes 50 deals a year,” is pointless if, deep down, you don’t believe it’s possible or if you don’t truly want it to happen. Affirmations aren’t magic spells; they can’t create reality out of nothing. Instead, they work on the principle of reinforcing and realigning your subconscious mind towards a specific goal.

A Personal Story

During the Great Recession, many found themselves in financially desperate situations, myself included. Initially skeptical, I turned to affirmations as a last resort. Feeling somewhat foolish, I began to write down goals that were deeply important to me:
– “I am a lean, mean listing machine.”
– “I am a master of scripts and dialogues.”
– “I earn at least $250,000 a year.”

Despite my initial doubts, these affirmations aligned with my deep-seated desires to succeed in real estate and to improve my financial stability. Each day, as I wrote these goals, they began to feel more attainable.

The Psychological Effect

The brain is a powerful tool that often doesn’t – some people think it can’t – differentiate between reality and vivid imagination. By consistently feeding it positive affirmations, you embed these desires into your subconscious, which then works tirelessly to achieve them and capitalize on opportunities to manifest them. This process is known as self-suggestion, and it taps into the subconscious urge to align reality with repeated thoughts and desires.

Evidence of Success

Years of persistent affirmation writing paid off. I mastered the art of negotiation and scripts, drastically increased my listings per year, and significantly boosted my income—all during an economic downturn. However, one affirmation never materialized: “I want to be home by 5:00 every day.” This was simply because it wasn’t a genuine priority (my focus was on growing sales and income almost exclusively) or belief (at the time, I thought that you could only take listings in the evening).

Practical Application

For realtors or any professionals considering affirmations:
1. Authenticity: Only write affirmations that resonate deeply with your desires and beliefs.
2. Consistency: Daily repetition is key. It reinforces your commitment and gradually aligns your subconscious with your goals.
3. Action: Affirmations are not a substitute for action. They are a preparatory tool that gears your mindset towards taking the necessary actions to achieve your goals.

Conclusion

So, are affirmations stupid? Not at all, if approached with sincerity and backed by genuine belief and consistent action. As a tool to focus your intentions and clarify your desires, affirmations can be a powerful catalyst for change and a roadmap to achieving substantial success, both in real estate and in any other endeavors.