The Power Of The Present Tense

An Observation About The Power Of The Present Tense

A quick observation.  I was recently doing some of my usual affirmations about the things I want to accomplish in life.  Yes, I do affirmations.  I used to think it was hokey, but I’ve realized they are quite powerful if done correctly.  They just have to be done consistently over time for the subconscious mind to truly accept them.  Anyway, I became aware of the power of the present tense.  If I switched the affirmations from future tense to present tense it changed the way they feel in an interesting way.  Not sure why this hadn’t occurred to me before, but it suddenly dawned on me.

This switch requires a small leap of faith in the case of goals not yet realized, and potentially enduring some cognitive dissonance.  But it also makes the affirmations feel more powerful.

There is something profound about switching from I WILL to I DO.  

What was previously a sense of hope gets replaced by a sense of assurance.

Our conscious minds know when something hasn’t yet occurred, but in order for something to occur we have to believe in it.  And by stating something as unequivocally true, as if it’s already happened, it feels as though it entrenches the belief more deeply.

It no longer feels like something out of reach, but something that is already a reality.  Even if the brain and ego want to constantly send reminders that this isn’t the case.  Just repeat it enough and the mind will start to absorb it.

As Muhammad Ali stated once, “I am the greatest.  I said that before I even knew I was.”  Apparently it worked.

Convince The Mind Of The Present Tense Through Action

A lot of affirmations include a combination of actions to be taken now, and potential future results from those actions.

For instance, one of my affirmations is that I produce online content and products so I can have freedom and flexibility in my life, while helping others and becoming financially independent.

The freedom, flexibility, and financial aspects of this affirmation haven’t yet fully manifested.  I know I’ve already helped a few people, but producing online content and products are items I can accomplish at will.  Those are just a matter of doing the work.

The reality is that I’ve already been writing a blog for a year now, and I sell an ebook online.  I’ve even made a few bucks off of the ebook.  And that opened my eyes to that fact that money can actually be made online.  This realization gives my affirmations more power.

So by taking action, I can truthfully state part of my affirmation in the present tense.  I DO produce online content and products.  And as a result the whole affirmation becomes present tense.

This is a good example of the power of focusing on the things directly in our control.  Ideas start to become reality as soon as we take action on the items we can.

So if you have ideas that make you excited and passionate, start by taking action.  And as you continue down the path, try thinking of your goals in a way that uses the power of the present tense.  I think you’ll find it makes a big difference in your mindset as you go after what you want.