» auteur: Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Much is written about how to change the behaviors in the continual quest for professional and business excellence or self-improvement. One of the most often cited tools for change management is an affirmation statement. These are written statements, many times penned onto a 3 x 5 index card and exhibit the following criteria:

• Begin in the first person singular – I
• Stated in the present tense
• Describe the change or person that you wish to become
• Contain only positive words

Then, three times each day,

• First thing in the morning right after awakening
• Mid day
• Last thing in the evening before going to sleep

You must take the following actions:

• Hold the card (Physical)
• Read the card (Visual)
• Speak the written words out loud (Audio)
• Feel the statement from your “gut” (Emotional)

The last action is the most important and why I no longer call these affirmation statements, but rather belief statements. To change behavior begins by identifying the beliefs that are reflected through our attitudes and demonstrated by our behaviors.

For example, recently I began working with a new coaching client who was looking to build her real estate business. She acknowledged that she needed to attend more networking events to increase her contacts. As we explored what type of events to attend, she admitted that she really didn't like to attend networking events because she was more of an introvert than many people realized.

As the dialogue continued, I suggested that her reluctance to attend networking events many have a lot more to do with her own negative conditioning – I don't really like to go to these events – than she realized. She in essence was confirming a belief that because she was an introvert; she was uncomfortable at these events even though she knew that she needed to attend.

Quickly she realized that her beliefs of being an introvert were holding her back and that she could now begin to change her beliefs that would change her attitudes and therefore her behaviors. With the help of a 3x5 index card, she wrote the following belief statement: I love to meet people. This belief statement along with a written goal of attending at least 3 networking events each week will definitely help her increase her contacts and therefore her business results. As the coaching session continued, she took the opportunity to write several other belief statements.

Belief statements better define the core for any change. How many times have you heard someone say, I affirm what you said.? For myself, I have probably only heard this once or twice during my entire lifetime.

Yet, how many times have we heard someone say, I believe what you said.? This word, believe, is an intrinsic part of our daily thoughts and actions. So, doesn't it make more sense to call these positive statements of change belief statements?

If you are having change management challenges, then consider using Belief Statements as an effective tool to manage change better, quick and with more sustainable results. After all, change must begin from within.