Imagine a good friend came to you and said: "I can't do this, I'm not good enough." Would you agree with him? Probably not. But this is exactly how many people talk to themselves every day.
Our thoughts shape our reality. Scientific studies show that positive self-talk has a direct influence on our self-confidence, our performance and even our health. Neuroscience proves it: Repeated thought patterns strengthen neural connections in the brain - regardless of whether they are positive or negative. So if you are regularly self-critical, you are training your brain to make you feel small. Conversely, you can sustainably improve your self-image by consciously choosing positive words.
Pay attention to your thoughts - Become aware of how you talk to yourself. Do you find yourself making negative statements? Stop and question them.
Replace negative thoughts - If you think: "I'm not good enough", consciously change this to: "I am growing beyond myself every day."
Use affirmations correctly - Positive sentences work best if you repeat them regularly and really feel them. For example, say to yourself: "I have everything I need to be successful."
Talk to yourself like a friend - Would you tell a friend that they are incapable? No. So be encouraging and supportive to yourself too.
Research from Stanford University has shown that people who use positive inner self-talk are more resilient to stress and make better decisions. A study from the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that athletes who cheer themselves on positively perform better in sports. Our brains don't distinguish between genuine encouragement from the outside and our own uplifting thoughts - use this to your advantage!
Your inner dialog determines your thoughts, your actions and therefore your life. Start consciously speaking kindly to yourself today. Because you have the potential to achieve great things - and your brain is always listening! 😊
Sources:
Stanford University: Research on Self-Talk and Resilience (2021)
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Self-Talk in Athletic Performance (2019)
Neuropsychology Today: How Thoughts Shape Our Brain (2020)