Introduction
We all have our own inner critic – that voice inside our heads that constantly judges us and never fails to point out our flaws. But what if there was a way to silence this negative self-talk? In this blog article, we explore the power of positive self-talk and how it can make a huge difference in your life. Read on to find out more!
What is Positive Self-Talk?
A positive self-talk is a form of self-affirmation or speaking kindly and encouragingly to oneself. It’s a way of countering the negative, self-defeating thoughts that can creep up during tough times, and of building yourself up when you’re feeling down.
When you engage in positive self-talk, you focus on your strengths and accomplishments and remind yourself that you are capable and deserving of good things.
This inner dialogue can help you maintain a more positive outlook on life, increase your motivation and confidence, and better deal with stress.
Why Do We Talk Negatively To Ourselves?
We are often our own worst critics.
We beat ourselves up for not being good enough, for not meeting our own high standards, or for making mistakes. This negative self-talk can become a destructive force in our lives, impacting our mental and emotional health, as well as our physical well-being.
The way you talk to yourself has a big impact on your life.
If you’re constantly putting yourself down, you’ll start to believe it. And that can lead to a lot of problems.
Negative self-talk can make you feel unworthy, undeserving, and like you’re not good enough. It can hold you back from reaching your goals and living your best life.
(If fear of not being good enough, making mistakes and dealing with failure are difficult for you, read more on why we actually need failure if we want success)
Benefits of Positive Self-Talk
1. Positive Self-Talk can help increase your self-confidence.
If you don’t believe in yourself, it’s hard to do anything else well. But when you start to see yourself in a more positive light, it becomes easier to take risks and go after your goals.
2. Positive Self-Talk can reduce stress and anxiety.
Focusing on the negative can bring about a lot of worry and stress. But if you shift your thinking to be more positive, it can help ease those anxious feelings.
3. Positive Self-Talk can boost your mood and energy levels.
Positive self-talk can help improve your mood by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. This, in turn, can give you more energy and make it easier to get through tough situations.
Examples of People Who Used Positive Self-Talk to Change Their Lives
There are many successful people who have spoken openly about the power of positive self-talk in helping them achieve success. However, there are also countless everyday people who have used this simple technique to change their lives for the better. As for some of the names you would know:
Michelle Obama shared on Twitter that she lives to talk to herself: “Am I good enough? Yes, I am. The mantra I practice daily.”
Oprah Winfrey used to tell herself throughout her tumultuous childhood, “My life won’t be like this, my life will be better.” She preaches “You become what you believe.”
And Elenor Roosevelt is famous for sharing “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
So don’t be the one to convince yourself of not being good enough, not being worthy enough.
And if someone does challenge you, sure, hear what they are saying. We don’t want our positive self-talk to be our only reality. But be careful with whose opinion you are listening to, and never take an opinion to be fact.
Here are some tips for changing your negative self-talk:
Recognize when you’re doing it.
Sometimes we don’t even realize we’re being negative toward ourselves. Pay attention to the things you say to yourself throughout the day. If they’re negative, make a conscious effort to change them.
Replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts.
This may take some practice, but it’s important to focus on the positive instead of the negative. When you catch yourself thinking something negative, immediately replace it with a positive thought.
Be gentle with yourself.
We all make mistakes and have bad days. It’s okay to be human. Cut yourself some slack and give yourself some grace.
Conclusion
Self-talk has a profound impact on both our emotions and our actions.
When we talk to loved ones, we have no problem being supportive of them and lifting them up when they are feeling down.
But when it comes to ourselves, we don’t extend the same courtesy. We have a tendency to drive ourselves further into the ground when already feeling low. Why?
Plenty of research already shows the negative emotional and physical effects of continuous negative self-talk. And there are plenty of case studies involving well-known individuals who contribute success to their self-confidence and grit (impossible to have without positive self-talk).
It is important we recognize the role of self talk – not to use it to create false realities.
Use it as a ladder to help you climb out of the hole you might be in, rather than as a shovel to dig you in deeper.
