How To Create Positive Self Talk

I'm so dumb! That was stupid! I never do anything write! I screwed up again! I'll never be able to do that!

How many times have you caught yourself thinking or saying these or similar words to yourself? The above are example of negative self talk. Before you can learn how to create positive self talk you need to understand and reduce and eliminate negative self talk.

Negative self talk begins in childhood. It could be a parent saying, "How could you be so stupid?! Or an older sibling calling you names. Perhaps it was classmates or friends making fun of you. We have all experienced some form of negative, hurtful talk from others. Some of us can shake it off and unfortunately for some it can have lasting effects. The challenge is to turn negative self talk into positive.

Here are some steps you can take:

1. Remember you are unique with special skills, talents and gifts, that you are a highly capable person.

2. Write down your strengths, skills, talents, etc.

3. Always write the positive affirmation in the present tense and begin with "I".

4. Begin affirming these talents with statements like: " I am a loyal and valuable friend." "I am a great dancer." " I am a successful salesperson." Etc. Write down as many as you can and keep adding to the list.

5. Write your affirmations on a 3 x 5 card and repeat the affirmation frequently.

6. Don't be so hard on yourself. Don't be afraid to take risk.

7. Turn negative into positive: Instead of saying " I'm screwed up again!" say "Well I just learned one way not to do something."

8. Don't take life so seriously. Look for the humor in all that you do.

9. Associate with positive people who give you support and encouragement.

10. Believe in yourself!

Creating positive self talk is the first step in changing your self image and more forward on the road to success. Read self improvement books and listen to self improvement CDs. One I highly recommend is "The Science of Getting Rich" by Wallace Wattles. This is the book that was the inspiration for the highly popular book "The Secret".