What Does Your Self-Talk Sound Like?

Do you ever catch your inner chatter? The self-talk running through your brain and quite possibly interrupting creative time, fun time or learning time? Of course you do, we all do. We all notice the self-talk that so rudely interrupts our concentration during the day, and quite often. In fact, it’s believed the brain has spontaneous thoughts 50% of our day. That’s quite a big chunk of our daily thinking.

Now, the big question is whether that self-talk is positive or negative.

I am more than what happens around me, and to me. Ultimately, I am what I choose to become.

Teri Mirikitani

Self-talk is defined as our inner voice. We have a private monologue running all day and sometimes into the night which combines conscious thoughts and unconscious beliefs and biases. It helps the brain interpret and process daily life more efficiently; however, it can also be a filter for the realities of our life. And if that self-talk is positive it’s a huge factor for our happiness and successful life choices but negative self-talk, well, I digress. We all know how negative talk impacts our life.

So here is my take on helpful self-talk:

1. Speak as if you already have accomplished your goal. Our thoughts precede our actions.
2. Speak to yourself often and focus on the tiniest success you can think of up to that moment. Positive attitude gives a boost in confidence, energy, and performance. It brings attention to the little wins scattered throughout the day and that breathes life into even bigger goals.
3. Speaking to yourself positively influences how you speak to those around you and fosters healthy relationships. And who doesn’t want this?

If you’re uncomfortable with self-talk, start by journaling your daily wins to celebrate all that you are doing well. What’s important is to capture all that you’re doing well, somehow, and in some way.

Evidence is conclusive that your self-talk has a direct bearing on your performance.

Zig Ziglar

Receiving validation for our performance is definitely a motivator that our actions are making a difference, and remembering our tiny wins sprinkled throughout our day fortifies our determination and commitment to stay the course, yet the biggest factor in how we feel once our goals are reached is how we feel about ourselves. Because no matter the prizes and treasures we may achieve, it’s empty if we don’t like who we are, and our self-talk is one of the biggest influencers for this.

Keep it Simple,
Just Teri

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