“Evidence is conclusive that your self-talk has a direct bearing on your performance.” Zig Ziglar
If one of your friends spoke to you as you speak to yourself, would you still be friends?
When I was in my 20’s, a friend gave me a cassette tape (yes, it was a cassette tape – this was the 80’s!) by Shad Helmstetter which was called “Ten minutes of incredible you.” The tape started out by saying, “You are incredible, you have charm, personality, people like you, they like to be around you…” I repeatedly listened to this tape and recorded it so it looped several times on the cassette. Whenever I felt down, I put in that tape, and my mood immediately shifted.
I lost that tape for several years and happened to come across it again about three years ago. I put it in the cassette player (yes, I still have one) and listened to it. Although it was good to hear Shad telling me that I’m incredible, I found that because of the years I spend repeating affirmations, that I didn’t need him as much.
It’s much efficient to rely on yourself and your own mindset to keep your thoughts positive. It’s true, thoughts DO become things. What you think about expands, so the best way to get yourself out of a funk is to choose to think differently.
How often do you beat yourself up when you said something our or did something “wrong?” Next time you hear your inner voice throwing a hissy fit about yourself or your capabilities, take a deep breath, say “Cancel, cancel, cancel” and bring positive thoughts into your mind. It takes practice, especially if you’ve been at it for awhile, but it’s so worth it.
Have fun,
Lisa
PS – This is your brain thinking negatively: :o( This is your brain thinking positively :o) Any questions?