Do you know the problem with affirmations? You know, the really, really powerful ones?

Affirmations are great. They allow us to program our minds such that, realistically, anything is possible. They are also, however, very dangerous. They are dangerous because everyone does them. Everyone does them and they don't even know it. And that's what proves their power.

Every single day people affirm their actions. Every day the affirmations become reality. These affirmations are generally known as self fulfilling prophecies.

Mary has to attend a party. She is shy and constantly tells herself that no one will like her and that she is worthless, a mere speck in relation to the fun and fantastic heavy weights that will be there. What happens at the party? Mary's talked herself into being a boring wall flower that no one finds interesting.

Brian has to attend a job interview. He has been out of work for six months. He tells himself he is worthless and he can see no reason the employer would want to hire him. Guess what? You're right! Brian didn't get the job. Why? Because he came across as unsure and acted as though he'd already been denied the position.

We do this to ourselves every single day. The more we tell ourselves we are unlikely to do something or can't do something the more we are setting ourselves up to fail.

A prime example is the following quote, "I'm tired." Some of us (myself included at times) say it so much we talk ourselves into being tired.

My advice? Stop the negative thoughts. Accept that if we tell ourselves we can't do it, we won't.

Imagine the internal power if we can turn the constantly negative "I can't do it" thoughts into "I can do it and I will do it". You never know, you might just succeed. Try it for a day, then a week, then a month and then keep doing it and success will follow you.

About the author: David McGimpsey is the host of a motivational and self help website at http://www.dontquit.org Advice, articles and reviews are free including subscription to a weekly motivational newsletter. David can be contacted at feedback@dontquit.org