In our industry, we talk a lot about communication, with clients, colleagues, and the market. Even when I am coaching salespeople and BDM’s, I share the power of TTP or Talk To People.
But there’s one conversation that’s even more critical to our success: the conversation we have with ourselves.
Our inner voice, the constant chatter in our minds, can be the most impactful voice we will ever listen to.
It has the power to either empower us to reach new heights or disempower us, holding us back from achieving our full potential.
Shouting Instructions
We all know that voice-the one that sometimes whispers (or shouts) doubts and criticisms.
Sometimes, the things we say to ourselves in these private moments are things we wouldn’t dream of saying to even our worst enemy.
Yet, we allow these negative thoughts to loop in our minds, often without questioning their validity.
The problem is, both our conscious and unconscious minds are listening, taking these thoughts as instructions on how to live.
Science has proven that negative self-talk is five to seven times more powerful than positive self-talk.
This is because of our natural negativity bias, a survival mechanism hardwired into us to keep us alert to danger.
Outdated Technology
However, in today’s world, the threats our ancestors faced-like being attacked by wild animals or rival tribes-are no longer present.
Despite this, our minds still react to stress and setbacks with the same intensity.
This outdated survival instinct means we must be vigilant in managing our inner dialogue.
It’s crucial that we get some perspective and take charge of this inner voice, turning it from a critic into a coach.
You Work For Me
Personally, I’ve learned to leverage my inner critic. Instead of letting it work against me, I’ve trained it to work for me.
Whenever I catch myself falling into a negative spiral, I use it as a trigger to shift my mindset.
For example, if my inner voice starts telling me that I’m not good enough or that I’m going to fail, I immediately counter it with a positive affirmation or a growth-oriented statement.
I might say to myself, “Yes, I may not be where I want to be yet, but I am doing the daily actions, and I’m on track.”
This simple shift can transform a moment of doubt into a moment of motivation.
5 Winning Strategies
Here are a few strategies to help you manage your inner voice and make it your strongest ally:
1. Notice the Negative: The first step to changing your self-talk is awareness. Start noticing when you’re being self-critical.
What are you saying to yourself? Is it constructive or destructive?
2. Challenge Your Inner Critic: Once you notice negative self-talk, challenge it. Ask yourself, “Is this really true? Would I say this to a friend?”
More often than not, you’ll find that your self-critic is exaggerating or lying.
3. Reframe the Conversation: Turn negative statements into positive ones. Instead of saying, “I’m terrible at this,” try, “I’m still learning, and I’m getting better every day.”
4. Practice Positive Affirmations: Develop a set of positive affirmations that resonate with you and repeat them daily.
They can be simple statements like “I am capable,” “I am resilient,” or “I am on my path to success.”
5. Avoid Triggers: Be mindful of the situations, people, or environments that tend to trigger negative self-talk. Whenever possible, avoid these triggers or prepare yourself with positive affirmations in advance.
Remember, you have the power to control your inner voice. By being mindful and intentional about what you tell yourself, you can transform your inner critic into your greatest supporter.
Your inner dialogue sets the tone for your actions and, ultimately, your success.
Make sure it’s one that uplifts, encourages, and inspires you to be the best version of yourself every single day.
Take charge of your self-talk, and watch as your confidence, resilience, and success grow in ways you never thought possible.
