Do not confuse goals and goal statements with the affirmations that support them.
Goals should have time milestones while affirmations are stated in the present tense as if the goal has been achieved. The sub-conscious tension created by the difference in "reality" and what you are telling yourself is true will help you achieve the goal and in the law of attraction sense, will let the Universe help you out too.
Stephen
Power-Book Library: Free personal development, success, inspiration and motivational classics