Integrity Score 1460
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Take a minute and think about what you’ve said to yourself today. Was it critical? Or was it kind and helpful? How did you feel after you engaged in this inner discussion? The conversations you have with yourself can be destructive or beneficial. They influence how you feel about yourself.
➖What is Self-Talk?
Self-talk is something you do naturally throughout your waking hours. People are becoming more aware that positive self-talk is a powerful tool for increasing your self-confidence and curbing negative emotions. People who can master positive self-talk are thought to be more confident, motivated, and productive.
➖How Does Self-Talk Work?
Although positive self-talk comes naturally to some, most people need to learn how to cultivate positive thoughts and dispel the negative ones.
•Positive Self-Talk: Positive self-talk is supportive and affirming. Consider the following inner statement: “I’m going to speak up in the meeting today because I have something important to contribute.” This sounds like a positive plan and attitude.
•Rumination/Negative self-talk: Rumination is the flip side of positive self-talk. It happens when you replay upsetting or cringe-worthy thoughts or events over and over again in your head. This statement show negative thoughts can grow and become self-defeating: “I look so fat in this dress. I really am fat. Look at those thighs. No wonder I can’t get a date. Why can’t I lose weight? It’s impossible.”
➖How To Get Started.
•Listen And Learn: Spend a few days listening closely to your inner dialogues. Are you supportive of yourself? Are you critical or negative?
•Think it through: Ask yourself the following questions about each of the thoughts you’ve listed:
- Am I overreacting? Is it really that big of a deal? Is it important in the long run?
- Am I overgeneralizing? Am I coming to a conclusion based more on opinion or experience than facts?
➖Switch Gears: Now that you have a better idea of how your inner thoughts are skewed, it’s time to switch gears and learn a new approach to self-talk. Look back at the thoughts on your list and reword them in a kinder, more positive light.