Finance
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What are Wealth Affirmations?

Toni Henthorn
Toni Henthorn

For decades, researchers have recognized the power of positive affirmations for behavior modification, attitude adjustment, improvements in health, and attainment of goals. Wealth affirmations are positive autosuggestions that an individual visualizes, repeats out loud, and meditates upon in order to embed the expressed idea into the mind. Scientists believe that regular affirmations of all kinds, including wealth affirmations, reinforce the chemical pathways in the brain that mediate the train of thought induced by the affirmations. This malleability of brain processing in response to a person’s environment and experiences is called neuroplasticity. According to some practitioners of wealth affirmations, their success stems from the law of attraction, which states that whatever a person thinks about will become his reality.

When a person repeats wealth affirmations, the brain responds by altering the strength of some connections, removing other connections, and forming some new cells. This cortical remapping produces changes in the brain both anatomically and functionally. Studies by neuroscientist Richard Davidson have indicated that meditation produces changes in the brain activity and cellular makeup in specific regions linked to anger, fear, depression, attention span, and healing responses. Other studies reveal brain changes in response to exercise, studying, and learning a new language. In contrast to what scientists have traditionally believed about the brain, this cumulative body of evidence shows that the brain is not fixed and hard-wired, but rather it constantly changes in response to training.

Wealth affirmations must be declared in positive terms.
Wealth affirmations must be declared in positive terms.

In accordance with the neuroplasticity principle, wealth affirmations work best when they are practiced regularly. Additionally, the affirmation that the practitioner repeats must be something that he can believe. For example, although he may say out loud, “I am as rich as Bill Gates,” if he believes the opposite, the negative belief will be the one programmed into his brain. Furthermore, wealth affirmations must be declared in positive terms. In other words, the practitioner should reinforce what he wants rather than state what he does not want.

Positive affirmations can be used to create a life of wealth and happiness for an individual.
Positive affirmations can be used to create a life of wealth and happiness for an individual.

The most effective wealth affirmations are brief and specific. Short phrases penetrate into the subconscious mind easier and produce more brain remapping than longer phrases. Specificity adds depth and credibility to an affirmation. The affirmation, “I am saving $10,000 U.S. Dollars (USD) over the next 12 months,” potentially has more impact than the nonspecific phrase, “I am saving money.” By adding a specified dollar amount and deadline, the first statement issues a call to action, with definitive measures of success.

Discussion Comments

candyquilt

@donasmrs-- I'm not an expert on this topic but I'm very interested in wealth affirmation and I believe it works. You are right that it is not easy, and probably more difficult for some than others. But I don't think that our subconscious is as difficult to impact as you have suggested.

There is a theory out there which says that just as beliefs can change actions, actions can also change beliefs. Initially, you may not really believe it when you say "I'm wealthy." But repeat it enough, you will definitely start to believe it and it will slowly become your subconscious.

donasmrs

@fBoyle-- Yes, but don't you think it's more difficult to do than it seems. I can talk about something all day, it doesn't mean that I believe it. And when it comes to the subconscious, I think it's more difficult to change our subconscious thoughts than we realize. That's why it's called the subconscious, because we don't have control over it like we do with conscious thoughts. How can I change something that I don't have control over?

Moreover, I believe that a lot of our subconscious thoughts which form the basis of our worldview is developed when we are children. They are deeply embedded and changing them is no mean feat.

fBoyle

This idea about affirmation reminds me of the term "self-fulfilling prophecy." Some people also use the phrase "talking into existence." These basically support the main idea of affirmation. If we believe something and voice it often, it will probably happen.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Wealth affirmations must be declared in positive terms.
      By: spotmatikphoto
      Wealth affirmations must be declared in positive terms.
    • Positive affirmations can be used to create a life of wealth and happiness for an individual.
      By: EpicStockMedia
      Positive affirmations can be used to create a life of wealth and happiness for an individual.
    • Positive feedback from others can add to a person's wealth affirmations.
      By: Sandor Kacso
      Positive feedback from others can add to a person's wealth affirmations.