When I was a kid, my dad always told me, “The six inches between your ears are what defines you.” In other words, if you want to be healthy and happy, you need to get your mind in the right place. And one of the best tricks for doing that is through affirmations. Here’s why.

As you’re growing up, the people in your life—parents, teachers, and others—play a big role in the belief system you develop. In fact, most of this unconscious programming is in place by the time you turn 18, and it’s responsible for about 95 percent of your thoughts as an adult.

Unfortunately, if you’re like most people, much of your inner script is negative. For instance, your unconscious may tell you, “You’ll never be successful,” “You’re not very talented,” or “You aren’t meant to be happy.” Thoughts like these can become self-fulfilling prophecies, preventing you from achieving true happiness and realizing your potential. It’s like you’re automatically casting yourself as a bad guy, a loser, or at best an extra in the cast.

But here’s the good news: You can rewrite your script! One of the best ways to do this is through positive affirmations. When you repeat these affirmations over and over again, they override the negative thoughts. In effect, you’re rewriting your personal story line. How amazing is that?

This is why, as part of my “Create Happy” Month, I want you to actively create affirmations. Here’s how to do it:

• Journal your affirmations in a notebook and say them out loud every morning.
• Phrase your affirmations in the present tense, as though they are already happening.
• Say your affirmations as soon as you wake up and again before you go to bed. It’s also smart to do it while you’re looking in the mirror.
• If possible, spend a few minutes taking calm, deep breaths before you say your affirmations, because this will put you in a more receptive state.

Here are some examples of affirmations:

“I am worthy of love and respect.”

“I have amazing talents and I am making the most of them today.”

“Happiness is a choice, and I am choosing to be happy.”

“I am courageous and can face any challenge successfully.”

“Obstacles are moving out of my way.”

“I choose to release resentments and hurts.”

Once you create your affirmations, take time every day to really think about each one, rather than rushing through them like a to-do list. Remember: You’re getting rid of negative thoughts that have dragged you down for decades and replacing them with positive thoughts that will last a lifetime. The more energy you devote to this exercise, the more it will pay off.

Or, as my dad would say:

How much of that space between your ears do you truly want to own?

Keep Thinking Big & Living Bold!