I think the most important argument is missing. If you repeat an affirmation every night or just think about it, what happens in your brain is that corresponding brain areas get activated(see also http://www.overcomingbias.com/2007/10/priming-and-con.html). Once you do this your brain will automatically keep thinking about it and generate ideas to advance towards your goal. You will keep an open eye for good opportunities and will take advantage of them.
You have to contrast this with people who are just going with the flow and don’t have a fixed target on mind.
I agree with this. The primary reason I would try affirmation is simply to keep myself focused on what I consider to be my long-term goals. Of course, I could also do this by repeating this set of questions every night:
What did I do today that helped me become a syndicated cartoonist?
Is it working?
What can I do tomorrow that can help me become a syndicated cartoonist?
I think the most important argument is missing. If you repeat an affirmation every night or just think about it, what happens in your brain is that corresponding brain areas get activated(see also http://www.overcomingbias.com/2007/10/priming-and-con.html). Once you do this your brain will automatically keep thinking about it and generate ideas to advance towards your goal. You will keep an open eye for good opportunities and will take advantage of them.
You have to contrast this with people who are just going with the flow and don’t have a fixed target on mind.
I agree with this. The primary reason I would try affirmation is simply to keep myself focused on what I consider to be my long-term goals. Of course, I could also do this by repeating this set of questions every night:
What did I do today that helped me become a syndicated cartoonist?
Is it working?
What can I do tomorrow that can help me become a syndicated cartoonist?