Words to Wins: Speak It, Believe It, Become It
- Julia Varshavsky
- Feb 22
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 6
Have you ever caught yourself saying “I’m terrible at this”—only to prove yourself right over and over? What if you could flip that script and intentionally reprogram your mind for success, confidence, and well-being?
The good news?
You absolutely can take control!
What Is Auto-Suggestion?
Welcome to the power of auto-suggestion - a powerful cognitive technique where you intentionally repeat specific affirmations to influence your subconscious mind. This method was popularized by Émile Coué, a French psychologist and pharmacist, who famously taught his patients to say:
"Every day, in every way, I’m getting better and better."
At its core, auto-suggestion works on the principle of neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize itself based on repeated thought patterns. When practiced consistently, your thoughts become reality because the brain strengthens the neural pathways associated with them. And when your brain believes something? You start acting in ways that make it true.
In short - what you say to yourself, matters.
Deeper Dive:
G. Montgomery, etal. The impact of hypnotic suggestibility in clinical care settings, Intl J of Clin Hyp. 2013
N.K. Sari etal. The role of autosuggestion in geriatric patients' quality of life: a study on psycho-neuro-endocrine-immunology pathway, Soc. Neurosci, 2017
Dr. R.K. Nongard. The Seven Most Effective Methods of Self-Hypnosis, 2019
Guide to Practice:
Find a Space where you can focus – Sit or stand, shoulders relaxed, head up, chest forward. Take a few deep breaths. Center your attention on the present moment.
Pick a clear, positive statement e.g., “I am confident and capable in all that I do”. Or more specific and fit for your day's goal: I am going to give a fantastic presentation today!”.
Say it: Say it out loud or mentally at least 10 times, visualizing yourself doing it, embodying the statement.
Write it – write it in your journal, set it to a password, or a mirror (a brilliant tried and true suggestion by Marisa Peer in I am Enough: Mark Your Mirror and Change Your Life), a lisptick or a wine glass marker works well!
Reinforce Daily – The more you practice, the more deeply the belief takes root.
Start today—speak it, see it, and step into your best self!
Julia
