August Writing Challenges: Day 5 - Affirmations

August. The summer is nearly over. Kids are going back to school. You now have some time on your hands.  Okay, you still have a list of chores a mile long, but let's put writing at the top of the priority list, okay?

I am going to challenge you with a writing prompt every day this month. Are you up for it? I hope so.

The writing challenges will be about a variety of topics and hopefully cause you to dig into your writing toolbox to complete with emotional skill.

Watch out, I just might throw in a fun one, well, just for fun!

For the fifth challenge we're going to get a little personal and hopefully in a positive way:

Here is your challenge:

Create several affirmations that are specific to you and provide uplifting words to help you stay positive.

What is an Affirmation? In New Thought and New Age terminology refer primarily to the practice of positive thinking and self-empowerment—fostering a belief that "a positive mental attitude supported by affirmations will achieve success in anything."

There are several general rules for writing affirmations. After you review those rules, you will begin to see that you truly can achieve that which you can conceive. Further, you will being to see that you want to!


Rules for Writing Affirmations:

Use the Here and Now
Write the affirmation as if you're already doing that which you desire to accomplish.

Keep it Real
Write affirmations that are realistic to you here and now. Don't set yourself up for failure. Know it, write it, and do it.

Write About What You Want
Write affirmations that state what you want and not what you don't want.

It's About You
Write affirmations about you and not about others.

Paint a Picture
Write affirmations that paid word pictures for you. Your words should be full of action and power.

Beware if You Share
Write affirmations that are only for you. If you share them, share only with people who will encourage you and not the "it can't be done crowd."

After you have written your affirmations, read them everyday. Read them with power and work at them with passion.

BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE!

Good affirmations start with words such as:

• I control my ...
• I am personally accountable for ...
• I take great pride in ...
• I have a positive ...
• I enjoy ...
• I believe in ...

Here is an affirmation to get you started. 

Friday Five Minute Exercise - Taking Risks

1. Set your clocks/timers for Five (5) Minutes.

2. Write about Taking Risks. Is your life as a writer a risky one? Do you see it as an adventure? Do you feel blessed because you have a passion for writing? Write about the risk you take in life if you do not listen to your heart and write. Does the risk of losing the chance to experience life as a writer outweigh the risk of failure?

Get into as much detail as you can for the next five minutes.

3. Ready?

4. Go.

5. Finished? Review and be amazed.

I hope you had fun. Come back next Friday for a new writing prompt.

Was this exercise helpful?

Did you succeed with this writing exercise? Was it helpful? Do you have a passion for writing? Do you take risks? If your life as a writer a risky one? Can you write about the risk you take in life if you do not listen to your heart and write? Have you found that the risk of losing the chance to experience life as a writer outweighs the risk of failure? Was this exercise helpful? Did you enjoy it?

Why or Why Not?

Friday Five Minute Exercise - Relationship in Your Life

1. Set your clocks/timers for Five (5) Minutes.

2. Write about Relationship in Your Life. If it is a difficult relationship,  pay close attention to the emotions that churn inside of you. Use these emotions to create passion as you write about the relationship.

Get into as much detail as you can for the next five minutes.

3. Ready?

4. Go.

5. Finished? Review and be amazed.

I hope you had fun. Come back next Friday for a new writing prompt.

Was this exercise helpful?

Did you succeed with this writing exercise? Was it helpful? Did you write about a difficult relationship or a happy one. Were you able to find the passion in your emotions for either?

Why or Why Not?

Friday Five Minute Exercise - Your Own Voice

1. Set your clocks/timers for Five (5) Minutes.

2. Write in your own voice. Try to discover your own voice by writing about passionate topics. Do not worry about the eyes and minds of the world. Only write what you know to be true in your heart and soul. Use the voice (the gift) that was bestowed upon you. Get into as much detail as you can for the next five minutes.

3. Ready?

4. Go.

5. Finished? Review and be amazed.

I hope you had fun. Come back next Friday for a new writing prompt.

Was this exercise helpful?

Did you succeed with this writing exercise? Was it helpful? Were you able to find and write in your own voice?

Why or Why Not?