Autosuggestions that negate current reality (objectivism) are delusions and will be rejected fiercely by the unconscious. Émile Coué started the self-help movement of repeating conscious autosuggestions in the hopes of influencing the unconscious mind. Plenty of research proves it can backfire. In fact, you do not even need other people’s research; try it on your own.

If you’re overweight, repeatedly say to yourself “I am thin.” It may make you feel better for a short moment, but soon enough, a little nasty voice at the back of your head sniffs and says, “yeah, right, look at you… You look like you ate a thin person! But you aren’t thin, that belly fat, bleh… " (exact quote from a recent client, printed with her permission).

Autosuggestions can be accepted by the unconscious mind only if they affirm objective reality. If you’re fat, you ought to say, “I am fat!” For example, to make it effective for the purpose of losing weight, you can affirm: “I am currently fat, and as long as I choose to drink water instead of Coca-Cola, I am helping my body to eliminate unnecessary fat.”

Of course, switching from a soft drink to water alone is not going to make a huge difference right away, but you can add on new affirmations every time you make a healthy conscious choice. Just remember to always affirm current reality.

The formula is: Current problematic state (objective reality) + “and as long as I” + healthy / useful choice (made in current reality) + “I am helping / promoting / moving closer to” + desired outcome.