Are you as nice to yourself as you are to others?
Think about the way you talk to a cute puppy or the advice you give to a friend. Does it match what you tell yourself?
The negative dialogue we have with ourselves can significantly impact our mindset, confidence, and ultimately, our ability to achieve what we set out to do.
Negative self-talk is like a silent underminer, sabotaging our efforts and planting seeds of doubt. It often manifests as self-criticism, doubt, or unrealistic expectations. It’s that little voice that says, “You can’t do it,” or “You’re not good enough.”
Here are three simple yet effective tricks to swap negative self-talk for a more empowering narrative:
#1 Practice Self-Awareness: Start by paying attention to your thoughts. When you catch yourself in a negative spiral, pause and ask, “Is this thought helping me or holding me back?” Developing self-awareness is the first step toward change.
#2 Challenge Negative Thoughts: Instead of accepting negative thoughts as truths, challenge them. Ask yourself for evidence supporting or disproving the thought. Often, you’ll find that negative thoughts are based on assumptions rather than facts.
#3 Cultivate Positive Affirmations: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Create a list of affirmations that align with your goals and values. Repeat them regularly to reinforce a positive mindset.
If you are reading this and aren’t quite sure what your self-talk looks like, I challenge you to keep a thought journal for one full day.
“Our life goes in the direction of our strongest thoughts.”
If you take a moment to reflect on this quote and your strongest thoughts, would your life be headed in the direction that you are wanting for yourself?
WHY?
It takes an intentional effort every day, every hour, and every minute to focus on the positive and wire our brains to focus on where we are going.
By focusing on what you are wanting and the positive, you will start seeing more opportunities that are in alignment with what you are wanting for yourself.
This idea is called frequency bias.
Sometimes writing in a journal can feel intimidating, here are some ways to start.
- Take note of how you are feeling when you are consistently practicing a healthy habit
- Take note of how you are feeling when you are not consistent with your healthy habit
- Take note of how you want to feel
Remember, our thoughts shape our reality. By making small shifts in our self-talk, we can create a more empowering and fulfilling life.
A healthy mindset and positive self talk do not come without practice. If you would like help with developing habits that move you in the direction of this lifestyle, Wellness coaching with Coach EJ can help.
Set up an appointment HERE to discuss how Nutrition and Wellness coaching can help you work on your healthy mindset.
UP NEXT…You Must Become the Person You Want to Be
