Positive self-talk means deliberately giving yourself positive reinforcement, motivation and recognition – just as you would do for a friend. Congratulate yourself when you do well and remind yourself of your abilities, accomplishments, strengths and skills.
Make self-talk work for you. What you habitually say to yourself has a very profound impact on your self-image, your self-esteem, and your performance as well as eventual success. Remember that your subconscious triggers physiological responses to match the pictures and thoughts that you have of yourself to make them happen. For example say to yourself, I did a good job for pointing out the defects in the product’s design.
Stop negative self-talk. It can be damaging because your subconscious believes what you say to your when you repeat that negative talk in your mind many times. How is your subconscious to know otherwise? If you catch yourself using negative self-talk, stop and rephrase. Eliminate the negative words. Focus instead on the best course you can take and do it.
Make positive communications a habit. Focus on the positive in goal statements. Compare the following phrases, and notice how the positive words convey confidence, commitment and enthusiasm. Instead of I will try substitute the phrase I will. Rather than saying I should do replace it with I will do. Try saying I want to or I choose to as opposed to the more common I must.
Below are a few ideas to help you to use the powerful tool of affirmative statements as vital mental reminder technique.
- Make the statements personal to yourself. Not arbitrary or generic. Use the phrase I, your own name, or you.
- Keep affirmations short. How can you use the affirmations if you cannot remember them?
- Phrase your affirmations positively. The mind accepts as truth the words that you give it. Use positive words only as affirmations. Leave out any negative words. For example say I will not be nervous during my interview with the warden. Rather say I will be calm and self-assured during my interview.
- Include a positive emotion. A phrase that triggers a positive emotion strengthens the affirmation. For example, My goals are valuable and it excites me.
- Phrase affirmations as fact. Phrase a goal as though it is happening even if you have not achieved it yet. Your subconscious believes mental messages and works to make them a reality.
- Say your affirmation at least 6 times a day. Repetition is life. Repetition enhances self-confidence, acts as a reminder, and stimulates your subconscious to help you achieve your goals in life.
