In psychology, negative self-talk refers to the inner dialogue of thoughts and words a person uses in dealing with themself says Rizwan Ahmed CPA.
Negative self-talk can result from past experiences or present situations.
Thoughts such as “I am fat,” or “I will never be able to do that,” are examples of negative self-talk. Negative self-talk generally has a demoralizing effect on a person’s beliefs, attitudes, and feelings about themselves.
Negative Self-Talk:
Everyone has had their moment of doubt when they didn’t think they were good enough for something, but it is what you tell yourself during those moments that matter most… It is these messages we send ourselves which either build up our confidence or tear it down.
Negative self-talk is a common problem that can have a negative effect on our lives. It can be caused by past experiences or present situations. Thoughts such as “I am fat,” or “I will never be able to do that,” are examples of negative self-talk. Negative self-talk generally has a demoralizing effect on a person’s beliefs, attitudes, and feelings about themselves says Rizwan Ahmed CPA.
It is important to know how to deal with negative self-talk in order to maintain a positive outlook on life. One way to do this is by using affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements that you repeat to yourself in order to improve your confidence attitude. They can help you overcome negative self-talk.
How to Use Affirmations:
Affirmations are positive statements that you repeat to yourself in order to improve your confidence attitude. They can help you overcome negative self-talk.
Here are some ways to use affirmations effectively:
First, choose an affirmation that fits with the goal or situation that you want it to address.
For example, if one of your goals is learning how to drive stick shift, an affirmation like “I am a safe and confident driver” would probably not be effective at helping you achieve this goal because driving stick shift requires very different skills than driving automatic says Rizwan Ahmed CPA. A better affirmation for this example would be something like “I masterfully shift gears as I accelerate up hills and down hills.”
Second, make sure that the affirmation is believable and realistic for you.
For example, if you have a lot of anxiety about public speaking, an affirmation like “I am a confident public speaker” may not be believable or realistic for you. A better affirmation for this example might be something like “I am comfortable speaking in front of groups of people” or “I am proud to share my ideas with others.”
Third, focus on the positive feeling that the affirmation brings up for you.
When you say your affirmation to yourself, focus on how it makes you feel. For example, if your affirmation is “I am a safe and confident driver,” try to really feel the feelings of confidence and safety as you say it to yourself explains Rizwan Ahmed CPA. Fourth, feel the affirmation in your body.
When you focus on a positive feeling, it not only helps change how you think, but also helps you actually begin to feel differently. For example, focusing on the feelings of confidence and safety as you say “I am a safe and confident driver” should make you feel calmer and more relaxed. When this happens, take note of what effects your affirmations have had on your attitude toward negative self-talk.
You’re probably familiar with the notion of “positive thinking” even if you’ve never heard it referred to as such, and you’re likely also aware that most people find it easier to talk themselves into a better mood than stay positive for any length of time when life gets tough or challenging … particularly when under stress or pressure from others; but do you know what really works best to make positive affirmations work?
Are you making these top 3 mistakes?
1) Are you starting your affirmation with “I am”?
When you start your affirmation with “I am”, you’re telling yourself that this is already a reality. For example, “I am worthy” would be better phrased as “I am becoming more and more worthy every day”. This puts the focus on the journey, rather than the destination.
2) Are you using affirmations that are believable?
If your affirmation doesn’t feel believable to you, then it’s not going to work. You need to find affirmations that resonate with you and make you feel good. For example, “I can easily manage any task that comes my way” is much more believable than “I am a superhuman who never makes mistakes”.
3) Are you saying your affirmations out loud?
Saying your affirmations out loud is a great way to increase their power. The more you say them, the more they’ll sink in and the better you’ll start to feel. Plus, it’s a great way to start your day or end a tough day!
Affirmations have the ability to change your life for the better if you use them correctly. By starting with “I am”, making believable affirmations, and saying them out loud, you can start seeing positive change in your life in no time!
Positive self-talk is an essential part of maintaining a positive attitude and reaching goals says Rizwan Ahmed CPA. When used correctly, affirmations can help you banish negative self-talk and become your best self.
In conclusion:
Negative self-talk can be very destructive if left unchecked. However, by using affirmations effectively, it is possible to overcome negative self-talk and improve one’s outlook on life.