In the blog post about Hot Buttons, I referenced Affirmative Reminders. Here is an article about Affirmative Reminders and how we can use them to improve our behavior and our attitudes.
By Dr. Victor Pendleton
Every day we are bombarded by
symbols and images designed to influence our behavior; to get us to behave in a
certain manner. Some examples are brand names, labels, logos, and certain
music. There are smart people who get paid a lot of money to influence our
purchasing behavior. They get paid well because their work is effective and
they know how to make us buy their products! This story focuses on one of the methods
used by these craftsmen, and how we might use it to develop personal behavior
of our own. An Affirmative Reminder is a technique designed to control thinking
through words and images. An affirmative reminder may be a picture, a symbol, a
sentence, or a paragraph that we see or repeat regularly. The American flag is
a symbol whose purpose is to remind us of our patriotism. The cross is used to
remind us of our faith. Every day we see these symbols scattered throughout our
environment. In a similar manner, affirmative reminders are personally
meaningful words or images that we use to remind ourselves of the behavior that
we aspire to. We may use affirmative reminders to influence personal behavior
of all kinds and to increase studying, healthy eating, generosity, and
understanding.
People have asked me, "Isn't the use of affirmative reminders equal to brainwashing yourself?" My answer is always yes. In my view, there isn't anything wrong with brainwashing yourself as long as you are making a conscious choice of exactly how you want to influence your brain. Is there anything wrong with brainwashing yourself to be kind, understanding, or conscientious? I don't think so. The problem most of us have is being brainwashed by other people, and therefore behaving in the manner that they choose.
Are you the person you want to be? Do you behave the way you want to behave? Do you treat others the way you would like to treat them? Most of us have areas of personal behavior that we would like to change. Affirmative reminders can help us develop the behavior we desire.
Design your personal symbol. What images will you choose? Choose images that are personally meaningful so that every time you look at it you are reminded of the powerful meaning. Put this symbol in a place where you will be sure to see it throughout the day, every day. Design a personal slogan or a mission statement and say it to yourself every day, like you used to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning at school. For those more musically inclined, write your own song and sing it to yourself throughout the day, every day.
Affirmative reminders are methods that people design to help them stay focused on their goals. By choosing personally meaningful symbols and images we can work toward becoming the people we really want to be, instead of going through life singing someone else's song.
People have asked me, "Isn't the use of affirmative reminders equal to brainwashing yourself?" My answer is always yes. In my view, there isn't anything wrong with brainwashing yourself as long as you are making a conscious choice of exactly how you want to influence your brain. Is there anything wrong with brainwashing yourself to be kind, understanding, or conscientious? I don't think so. The problem most of us have is being brainwashed by other people, and therefore behaving in the manner that they choose.
Are you the person you want to be? Do you behave the way you want to behave? Do you treat others the way you would like to treat them? Most of us have areas of personal behavior that we would like to change. Affirmative reminders can help us develop the behavior we desire.
Design your personal symbol. What images will you choose? Choose images that are personally meaningful so that every time you look at it you are reminded of the powerful meaning. Put this symbol in a place where you will be sure to see it throughout the day, every day. Design a personal slogan or a mission statement and say it to yourself every day, like you used to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning at school. For those more musically inclined, write your own song and sing it to yourself throughout the day, every day.
Affirmative reminders are methods that people design to help them stay focused on their goals. By choosing personally meaningful symbols and images we can work toward becoming the people we really want to be, instead of going through life singing someone else's song.
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