In Psychology, it is a well-known fact that one can change oneself through positive self-affirmation & visualisation .It is believed that the self-affirmations to the subconscious mind is best done in an “already achieved mode”. For example, a student who is weak in mathematics and wish to improve on it should say the self-affirmations as “I am excellent at mathematics” & also visualize himself as ALREADY being good at Maths repeatedly. Or a person who is a coward could reprogram his mind by saying to himself,” I am brave”, etc. This is so that the subconscious mind is set with the positive intended goal and thus will program the whole body with the message. But the question is that such self-affirmation is not the truth (or not the truth yet). When he is telling himself that he is ALREADY being good at Maths, he is actually “lying “to himself.

Question

In Psychology, it is a well-known fact that one can change oneself through positive self-affirmation & visualisation .It is believed that the self-affirmations to the subconscious mind is best done in an “already achieved mode”. For example, a student who is weak in mathematics and wish to improve on it should say the self-affirmations as “I am excellent at mathematics” & also visualize himself as ALREADY being good at Maths repeatedly. Or a person who is a coward could reprogram his mind by saying to himself,” I am brave”, etc. This is so that the subconscious mind is set with the positive intended goal and thus will program the whole body with the message. But the question is that such self-affirmation is not the truth (or not the truth yet). When he is telling himself that he is ALREADY being good at Maths, he is actually “lying “to himself.

So, would it better to say,”I am getting better and better at maths “rather than “I am excellent at maths”?

Answer 1

"I am getting better and better " is great, but lacks the strong effect that a dramatic statement ("I am excellent") has.

To combat this, when the void is deep, I recommend using affirmations concerning your virtues and strengths. "I have a real knack for math" "I am excellent in learning math" etc work great. "I ENJOY math" is highly effective. Combine these with progress (your suggestion of "I am getting better ") and gradually "I am really good with math" and you have a winner.

Thats when a large amount if learning is required.
When only a smaller amount is needed, go straight to the end result ("I am reall good at it!").
Same goes when other people are involved ("I am real good in dating girls/guys" will be much more effective in securing dates than "I am learning how to date" etc.

Answer 2

Your question reminds me of teen boys seeking out girls to be friends:

The boy thinks: I am the guy for her. I am God's gift to all women. I know it.

The girl thinks: Who is this creep?

Answer 3

First of all these processes are conscious, not subconscious.

The positive attitude means a person perceives him/herself as capable to doing the task, whatever it is, even in the face of initial failures.

Answer 4

In the field of psychology, the use of positive self-affirmations and visualization is a widely recognized technique for personal development and change. The idea behind this approach is to reshape one's thoughts and beliefs in order to bring about desired behavioral and emotional changes.

When it comes to self-affirmations, the focus is on using positive statements to reinforce desired qualities or behaviors. The aim is to create a mental image of oneself already possessing the desired quality or achieving the desired goal. By repeatedly affirming these positive statements, individuals seek to reprogram their subconscious mind with the intended message.

Now, your question raises an interesting point about the truthfulness of these self-affirmations. It is indeed true that when someone affirms themselves as already having a certain quality or skill, they may not have fully achieved it yet. This might seem like they are "lying" to themselves.

In such cases, it can be more effective to modify the self-affirmations to align with the current reality but still maintain a positive outlook. For example, instead of saying "I am excellent at mathematics," one could say "I am getting better and better at maths every day." This modified affirmation acknowledges the current state while emphasizing progress and growth.

By using this adjusted self-affirmation, individuals can maintain a sense of motivation, build confidence, and encourage themselves to continue working towards their goal. It allows for a more realistic approach that recognizes both the starting point and the desired outcome.

Ultimately, the choice of self-affirmation will depend on the individual and their specific circumstances. Some people might respond better to affirmations that focus on the future, while others find it helpful to emphasize ongoing improvement. It's essential to find a balance that resonates with you and supports your personal growth journey.