Self Talk Got The Best of Me

by Jane Anderson, Featured Contributor

THIS NEW BOOK by Bonnie Marcus, The Politics of Promotion, is a storehouse of excellent advice. Written mostly for women, I honestly think guys who know women could benefit too. One thing that caught my eye though, is captured in this illustration. I journal a lot of things, but had not thought about journaling my successes. First I have to figure out what they are. LOL

So here’s my version of truth.

A. Think back to a time when you were put down, chastised, or reprimanded. How did you feel?

B. Think back to a time when someone thanked you, or you were complimented or praised. How did you feel?

Which one above made you feel energized, motivated, and excited to take the next steps? Which one got you up in the morning? Which one got you off the couch?

Now what if the person exercising those words toward you was you? Self-talk is like a power tool. When used as intended, result are positive. House

s get built, fences get mended, bridges make connections, roadways are constructed. Those same power tools can be used to tear down, mutilate, and harm.

Self-talk is the conversation playing in our heads, at full volume, without a filter. We have an opinion and we share it, maybe not audibly to anyone else, but it’s fully perceptible to us. Self-talk could be positive, but what are the chances of that? When the voice in our head talks to us, is it the negative B above or the positive A we’re hearing?

Negative self talk is like ulcers, eroding healthy tissue. People can die from uncontrolled ulcers. The time to stop an ulcer is at the point of detection. The time to stop the negative self talk is at the point of detection.

We have a choice. Self talk makes us bitter or better.

Being subjected to negative self talk will lead to negative consequences: discouragement, exhaustion, depression — you can see how this path leads to bitter.

It’s not egotistical or proud to inject yourself with positive self talk. In fact, you will have more energy, be productive, have enthusiasm and be better. C.S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity said “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” It’s helpful to speak positively about yourself, especially to yourself.

Self talk starts in your mind. What you think, becomes an act.

Proverbs 23:7 — As you think in your heart …. that’s what you are.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.

Don’t ever stop telling yourself you can do this — what is in your heart, comes out as you.