Affirmations and Mastering Distraction

Did you ever have a problem with distraction? You know, you have an important project to do. You turn on the computer and check your email. Catch the latest news headlines. Read a couple stories. Check your forums and respond to a few threads. Let the dog out. Check your email for anything new...

That's how it was for Amber. Until she started using affirmations to keep herself focused.

Used to be our friend Amber would stall and whine something terrible when she sat down to start a project. Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if there had been a boss or a teacher or somebody breathing down her neck to turn out the finished project on schedule. But this time, it was "just for her." The kiss of death.

See, Amber had a dream. She wanted to work from home. But, dreamer that she was, she also had a safety net. She made decent money tending bar on the weekends. Between that and her husband's paycheck, they had enough to get by. Only thing was, they were rarely home at the same time! The stress was beginning to wear on their relationship.

One fine weekday, Amber got a sitter and met a girlfriend for lunch. It had been a while since they'd connected, and Kendra had let it slip that something important was going on in her life. Turns out she'd just landed a big (really big) client for her new consulting business.

"How'd you do it?" Amber asked. "Last I heard, you guys were really struggling."

Kendra smiled. "Easy," she said. "I just started focusing on what I want. What I want the most is to make this business grow so Joe and I can live the lifestyle we dream about. We want to travel and make a nice life for the kids."

"We want that, too." said Amber. "But I just can't seem to make myself do the work. Every time I sit down to write my business plan, I don't know where the time goes. Nothing happens."

Kendra was glad to help out her friend. After all, it would be great to have another successful couple to hang out with!

"First of all, decide what's most important. It's easy enough to see what you don't want. But don't let yourself get sucked into dwelling on that. Just turn it around. If you don't want to struggle with bills, see yourself paying them effortlessly. If you don't want to get distracted from your work, focus on the completed project. Your business plan, right?"

"Right," said Amber with a sigh. "The same old business plan I've been supposedly doing for a year already."

Kendra laughed out loud at her friend's resistance. "Well perhaps you could muster a little enthusiasm. That'll help a lot. The feeling you put around your project makes a huge difference. If it seems like a big chore, it's easy to see why you haven't gotten very far."

"Find something to like about it. Then break it down into small, manageable steps. I'll help you if you want. Then, it's just a matter of doing one little step after the next. Doesn't seem so overwhelming that way. It's easier to stay focused."

"Affirm your success. Before I even sit down to my computer, I picture the task I'm about to complete. I'll see myself sending off the proposal; connecting with the person on the other end; helping them solve a problem. Kind of like we're doing right now, you know?"

As she looked over at Amber, it seemed her friend's spirits were starting to lift. "Good," thought Kendra. "I think we're in the same space."

"I use spoken affirmations, too," she said. "I am innovation, connection, and completion. Each time I sit down, I affirm my ability to perceive innovative solutions, to connect with my prospects, and to fully address their needs. The results have been amazing!"

"That would be amazing," Amber said softly. "It seems like all I ever think about is everything that could go wrong if I mess up. No wonder I keep putting things off."

"Just one more thing before we go," Kendra continued. "You'd better get ready for a bunch of new ideas. Once you put yourself in the current, you'll start seeing new opportunities all over. Some of them will be different than anything you've ever considered before. Expect it. You'll want to check them out, because you want things to start going differently from now on, right?"

Amber smiled. "Right," she said. "I'll know things are working when my life starts to feel different. And that's a good thing!"

Kendra and Amber spent a few more minutes together that day. They mapped out a quick timeline for getting Amber's business plan down on paper, then worked out a statement she could use to keep herself on track. "I am commitment, possibility, and vision."

They smiled about how great it would be to go someplace warm together next winter for a special get-away weekend. Amber could see it happening. Her dream was unfolding before her eyes. She just knew it.

Elizabeth Eckert coaxes, cajoles, and gently guides the creation of healing intent. She's the founder of http://www.wordcures.com and author of Word Cures: How to Keep Stupid Excuses From Sabotaging Your Health. Align your whole self for health ... starting today! Share "Arielle's" real-life story: The power of positive healing intention