Doggone It, People Like Me - Positive Affirmations With Chris Owen
Read More: What is Positive Affirmation, and what can it do for you?
If you have ever doubted your ability…if you have ever been afraid to step out of your comfort zone…if you have ever felt insecure about your position or knowledge...
This is for you.
In the mid to late 90’s there was a skit on Saturday Night Live titled “Positive Affirmations with Stuart Smalley”. I remember laughing my way through his famous line “I’m good enough… I’m smart enough… and doggone it people like me!” while he turned and smiled at himself in the mirror.
Back then I laughed through the comedy without ever realizing the impact this type of thinking would have on my life. I had a rough childhood, and kept a lot of emotional baggage bottled up for years. I didn’t learn the power of positive thinking until later in life, when my circumstances forced me to step up or give up. I had to quit letting my past determine my future.
There was no gray area for me. Not stepping up, meant I was giving up whether I liked it or not. I was forced to become a better, stronger person. I was forced to believe in myself, and through that, I learned to believe in people.
You are no different than I am. Maybe you haven’t had that big test of character yet, or you didn’t handle it well. There is still hope for you. Life is all about discovery. The sooner you learn that, the sooner you will realize how powerful you really can be. This is where daily positive affirmations can change the way you look at yourself in the mirror.
Pop the Bubble
Living in your comfort zone, is like being in a bubble. You have to pop the bubble to get out and breath. Those first breaths are short and forced. You are breathing new air in a new atmosphere. But your lungs will adjust.
To start, you are going to have to tear a page out of the Stuart Smalley handbook (minus the misinformed self help addict approach), start with some positive affirmations and end with a good long look in the mirror.
You Can Literally Speak Things Into Being
I know it sounds cheesy and a little 12 step-ish, but it works. Here is how you do it. Write down 3 of your weaknesses and 3 of your strengths. On a separate sheet rewrite all of those into strengths. If you are afraid to speak in public, write it like this:
“I am a great public speaker”.
Go through this list every day at least once in the morning, and once before bed. Try to see it, and feel good about it. Smile when you say it, and let the first thoughts of your morning, and the last thoughts of your day be positive affirmations. The only real obstacle to success in your life, is you, your thinking, and your actions.
A friend of mine in Basic Training had never fired a gun. He was extremely afraid of failing out of the Army for his lack of skills. We worked together every day on positioning, breathing and technique. Most of all we worked on mindset. When he was later awarded a sharpshooter badge, the Drill Sergeant made the comment, "Pretty good for your first time out". He responded, "I shot that score every night for two weeks prior to stepping out on that range".
If you tell your mind it can do these things, it will begin to act accordingly.
I Believe In You. Now It's Your Turn To Believe In Yourself
I really and truly believe that you can do these things. The problem is, even with the support of family and friends who know you, and can see your potential, it is still you who will have to move.
You may feel like there are so many things that you aren't good at. The thing is you can be. All it takes is a desire to achieve, and the determination to see it through. You have to tell yourself you can do these things, and reprogram the negative thought process that holds you back. A good friend of mine, Dwayne Huggins speaks on this and becoming an Alpha Networker often. He is fine tuning the art of leadership. Check out some of his training and ideas. I think you'll be glad you did. He has a great grasp on turning his weaknesses into strengths.
My wife asked me yesterday when I talked to her about writing this article; "What are some things you feel you are not good at? Maybe you can use them in the article." The thing is, I couldn't think of any. Not because I am good at everything, but because I don't think that way. I spend my time building on my strengths. No matter how low the level of strength is to start, I never call it a weakness. It is just a strength in development.
When Pigs Fly
I have heard so many times, that the things I have accomplished are impossible. "You will never walk again". "This is not for someone with your medical history". The fact is, the only thing holding most people back is the programmed negativity that comes from their peers.
Get those people out of your life, and change your thinking. Remove the negativity, and begin to see yourself for how capable you truly are.
Did you know that the US sends millions of pounds of pork overseas each year?
Pigs fly every day.
Man on a Mission
When I took my first step after breaking my back, I was ecstatic. I was back on top of the world again, and going to prove that I could get back into combat. When I lifted my foot for the second step, the pain overloaded my nervous system and I hit the floor in muscle spasms, wishing I would die to end the pain.
That night, I lay strapped down to a hospital bed, talking to myself, and reassuring myself that I could do this. That is positive affirmation. I spoke it into being. The next day I tried again, and again…and again. I had never been tested so fully in my life. But in the end I passed the test.
I actually had a nurse tape a hand written sign above my bed reading, “pain is weakness, leaving your body”. I had no choice but to lie there and stare at that for hours every day.
Write these notes and hang them around your house or office. Read them each time you pass by. I guarantee that you will begin to think in a whole new way.
“I’m good enough. I’m Smart enough, and Dog gone-it, people like me”.
This has been, Positive Affirmations with Chris Owen.
Chris Owen Academy
Don’t forget to share, and give this post a Vote. And if you liked this, go over to COA and check out all the latest educational and uplifting material I have put out lately. You can find it here.
P.S. Chris Owen is available for group training with his Mindset For Success programs, and also available for seminars and guest speaking. To reach Chris send an email to chris@chrisowenacademy.com.
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Comments: 39 
About the Author: Chris Owen
Member Since: 01/01/2010
I'm a Distributor For:: Global Resorts Network
Other Company: Chris Owen Academy
Industry: Marketing and Advertising
Primary Web Site: http://www.chrisowenacademy.com/
Thank You
Hey Chris,
Thanks for this article! I'm a big fan of positive affirmation. Used correctly it will make a huge difference.
Powerful
Chris,
I'm almost without words...
Thank you for sharing your story with me... and with everybody else in our community.
This is easily one of the most powerful articles I've read this month... and maybe this year.
Thank you.
Makes all of my other problems seem small!
Hey Chris,
If people can't find inspiration in the words in your article, they better have their pulse checked.
I used to think that telling yourself you could do things was a bunch of BS until I got my hands (ears, I'm an audio book guy) on David Schwartz's "The Magic of Thinking Big". I started taking notes on the book and putting the message in it to practice and it has really transformed a large part of my life.
After reading this article, I think you could probably write your own "Magic" book and it be a best seller.
Awesome, Awesome Stuff.
Awesome post once again, Chris!
I remember that skit well and it brought a smile on my face to see that picture.
I especially like your “pain is weakness leaving the body” quote.
It’s a truly amazing story about you learning to walk again and I really appreciate you sharing it with us.
I also use affirmations and have found them tremendously useful. One thing I’ve been doing is pointing to my head and my heart and saying “All I need is right here.”
Great Post Chris
Thank-you for showing me a different perspective on "weakness". My wife and I are always looking for new ways to bust out of comfort zone and turn our weaknesses into strengths. I love your outlook and your story. Thanks again
Thought So...
Chris,
Great post and love the subject. I feel drawn to anything about the mind as I agree 1000% that we have the potential all bottled up and ready to go, we just need to believe in ourselves long enough to make it to the next step.
"Thought become Feelings become Actions"
Thanks Man :)
Will you be my New Best Friend?
Great stuff, Chris. This is the kind of thing I need to remember every single day. Thanks for reminding me that I have no weaknesses, just a lot of strengths under development.
Really powerful article!
Chris this totally resonates
Chris this totally resonates with me on so many levels ...
I used to be a professional chef in Seattle, I loved it, it was such an awesome job I actually didn't mind working for someone else - I loved creating gourmet masterpieces and seeing the reaction on the faces or our clientele.
But one fateful day, I had a newbie in the kitchen that emptied our pasta machine on the floor and failed to mop it up. So as I came down from the office and jumped off the last step as i always did at the end of my shift, I slipped, flew in the air and landed right smack on the point of my tailbone ... snapped that thing clean in half and ruptured 3 disks. I was on my back for 2months.
Funny thing is the doctors never did xrays (gotta love workman's comp) so I had no idea I had broke anything until about a year later after I had moved back to Wyoming and tried cooking again. My back gave out one day and I was off to the hospital; where the doc did xrays this time and found all the damage.
But as fate would also have it, being in the tech capital of the northwest, I took up web design while I was in bed. Back in Wyoming I realized my professional cooking days were over, so I got a job doing tech support for a local internet service provider. And then once again fate showed up ...
We kept getting calls from business owners that needed a website built but the company didn't offer the service. Long story short I cut a deal with the owner to take all the website design calls and take on the projects. He didn't even want a cut. Hence launched my career as a freelance web designer ... That was over 10 years ago and I've worked from home almost ever since.
Point is you never know what the universe may have in store for your life ... This stuff truly does work in mysterious ways. Who knows I may very well still be cooking today and have nothing to do with internet marketing or building my own businesses.
Although chances are I probably would have wound up writing a cookbook or something, which is still in my bucket list.
Anyway...
Great story man, thanks for sharing and bringing motivation and inspiration to us all.
Cheers!
~Richard
Whoa...
What an exceptional post Chris.
For me, it was last where I had to shift my way of thinking. I thought of myself as someone who was positive. However, I wasn't getting very positive results.
It turned out I was really focusing on the negative side of things and I didn't even realize it until my good brother Jason had mentioned something to me. That's when it really hit home.
Ever since then, I believe in staying true to my positive side by looking at all of my challenges as opportunities and all of my failures as a step towards success.
I know that there is only way now, that is forward.
Thanks for your inspirational perspective. You rock!
Jerome Ratliff
WOW
Chris,
Thanks for sharing your story. Every once in a while it's good to be reminded that our own challenges are not as great as some people's challenges.
Thoughtful
Chris-
We do hear our thought control our actions but somehow we always forget, thanks for reminding us!
Emmie
Thanks Josh
Hey Josh,
You're welcome my friend. I get quite a bit out of your articles too.
A loss for words
Hey Jason,
I am truly at a loss for words. Thanks so much. I think I will print out your comment and use it with my daily affirmations. "I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And doggone it Jason said..."
Seriously, I do believe strongly in this. I could be down about my problems, and complain. But I honestly believe that a broken body made me a stronger man.
Problems Are Relevant to People
Hey Eric,
The Magic Of Thinking Big is a great book. I loved it. I guy trying to get me to join Quickstar actually introduced me to it first.
I believe that problems are relevant to people. Something that may seem small from the outside looking in, may feel like the world is crashing down around the person with the problem.
I am working on the book. I have so many things going on at once, it feels like it will never be complete.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK!
Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives. ~ William James (1842 - 1910)
Thank you, Chris, for sharing your story and showing us a valuable tool for creating our lives to contain all that we desire!
I REMOVE ALL NEGATIVE AND IN COME POSITIVE
I believe we all think positive but then a little negative can knock everyting off board. Thank to remind us that positive thoughts and words can give us our goal in life.
Thank You For Sharing
Thank you for sharing this story. I do believe our thoughts create our lives. Your determination and the power of your mind has confirmed that we can accomplish whatever we desire to.
thank you for sharing such a positive and inspiring story.
Rosemary
Hey Chris Yet another value
Hey Chris
Yet another value packed article.
Thanks for the mention, means a lot to be recognized for the developments I make.
Affirmations are very powerful, as you say you can speak your way into getting whatever your affirmation is. Make sure when it is spoken the belief behind it is real and strong. The belief, the words and the repetition will firmly place you on the right road to where you want to go.
A Proud Network Marketer
Dwayne
Such Power In YOUR Story
Chris~
Thank you for sharing your story. It has reminded me of the many times "reality" said one thing, but I chose to believe another.
You have reminded us all that WE choose our thoughts, which lead to our words, which lead to our actions.
Imperational Post
Great Post about keeping your mind in check! never give up, Chris tell me something! You join betternetworker in Jan of this year! and you already have a 10 ranking, That's pretty awesome in it's self, Keep up the great job!
Always inspiring! Thank you
Always inspiring! Thank you for another great message, Chris.
Thanks Brother
Hey Derek,
The quote, "Pain Is Weakness Leaving Your Body" came from my days as a powerlifter. Some of the workouts were so intense you have to really psych yourself up to get through it.
I like you Affirmation, and I have read a ton of your work. I have to agree. You already have all you need inside yourself. But in addition, like me, you have an awesome supportive wife. That is an unbeatable combination.
Hey Sam
I think it is great that you and your wife work on these things together. Nothing is more fulfilling than a great marriage.
I'm with You
Hey Peter,
I agree totally on the bottle. Lets treat it like a celebratory bottle of bubbly and pop the cork. Let the power inside us rain down so hard that it affects everyone around us.
Friends For Life
Hey Dave,
Awesome, I always welcome new friends.
It's great that you see the need for this. Positive Affirmations are more powerful than most people give credit. I noticed you said a lot of strengths under development. To me that means you have a lot of things to celebrate in the future.
Great Story
Hey Richard, that is so great. We have more in common than I would have thought. When I was on bed rest (one and a half years), I learned how to build computers. They would send them to me from the base, to be fixed and I would take orders for custom builds. We had to buy a rolling toolbox from Low's to keep beside the couch so that I could get to my tools and parts. I never had less than a stack of ten laptops on the top of that box.
I had my first online business during that time. It was a custom computer website called "Honestbuilds.com". I think one of the happiest moments for my wife was when I was able to get around good enough for her to get that big toolbox out of our living room.
Thank God For Brothers
Hey Jerome,
One great thing that came from all of the trials that my injury caused, was that my brother and I became friends. Before I was sent to Iraq, we were never really close. Now we are great friends.
Brothers have a way of turning the flashlight out of your eyes, so that you can not only see the light, but also what is lit up.
All Challenges Are Great
Hey Terrie,
Please never think that just because someone had different challenges that yours are not important. They are important to you.
If you don't respect the challenges you face, you can't celebrate the victories of overcoming them. And celebrating small victories is one of the most awesome gifts we have.
Use my story as an example, but never a comparison. You are special. You are important. And the challenges you face deserve to be recognized, and your victories celebrated.
Aren't Memories Great
Sometimes to remember something, all you have to do is implement it quickly. Action on thought requires 40% more brain power than static learning.
Believe in yourself always. Tell yourself that you are what you dream you can be. And your dream will become a reality.
Thank you so much for your comment.
Nuff Said
Hey Susan,
Thank you so much for that comment. I don't even have anything to add to it. I am writing that on a sticky note now.