The Importance of Positive Self-Talk

When I think about self-talk I think of that interesting little voice in our heads we hear after certain situations that helps us evaluate and make sense of what has happened.  This self-talk can be positive or negative, and, it can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

 

For example, I often have people come to me for advice on how they can get a raise or promotion.  Those who come to me with a positive attitude that they are worthy of obtaining a higher salary or promotion are much more likely to accomplish their goal because their self-talk is positive and it reinforces that they can figure out a way to make it happen (thus it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy).

 

Those who come to me wanting to obtain a raise or promotion but have a negative attitude, an attitude in which they doubt they will ever get the raise or promotion they want because…and then proceed to list for me all the reasons why they don’t believe it will happen, are engaging in negative self-talk.  These are generally the people who don’t end up getting that raise or promotion.  Their negativity ends up surrounding them to such an extent that they become demotivated and don’t want to go through the steps necessary to map out an action plan to accomplish their goal.

 

Positive self-talk is incredibly important because it helps to positively reinforce certain behaviors; behaviors that are necessary to self management.  It has been my experience in coaching others that negative self-talk allows a person a reason to cut themselves slack, to be “off the hook” for their behavior, for their lack of self management and thus of outcomes. 

 

I have found that people with positive self-talk are much more willing to create a personal development plan for self-improvement and are better at managing and turning negative work situations into positive outcomes.  I believe positive self-talk results in positive outcomes because it helps us control our behavior and thus control our environment. 

 

So, how about giving yourself a quick pat on the back and some encouraging words the next time you want to achieve a goal?  Try it for yourself and you just might be pleasantly surprised with the outcome!

 

You can do it!

Lisa Quast

Career Woman, Inc. - "Your Future, Your Way"

www.careerwomaninc.com

Comments

[Tinnitus Natural Cure]

Hey people, this blog seems funny and narrow when I open it using Opera. Nonetheless, it seems to be ok in IE 7. Does anyone else observe this?

[Successfully Slim]

It is easy to believe the power of self talk but not always easy to make it positive! I do keep an close eye (or is that ear!) on my self talk and make it as positive as realistically possible.

[Lillie]

Thanks for sharing the confirmation. Attitude makes all of the difference in the world in any thing that you do. There is power in the tongue and speaking positive affirmations is a key ingredient to setting, believing and mastering goals.