Sunday, August 7, 2016

Lesson 17 Positive Self-Talk



Coaching for College Students
 
Lesson 17 Self Talk

Our brains are always active.  We think throughout the day and dream at night. 

And, our brains can really help us reach our goals, keep our attitude positive and set us on the path to success.  We just have to program them to help us.
Example:  Ever been in a restaurant, mall or a store and there is some music that we playing in the background.  We recognize it and we (quietly) sing along.  Later that same day, you might be in your car and that same music comes back into your brain. 

Frequently our brain are in negative mood. 

I was looking at: http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/7-steps-to-positive-self-talk/, and let me summarize the first two points on that website:
1.   
    Eliminate negative chatter.  Listen (to your brain), how many times you say (think) “I’m can’t do that”; “I’m not that smart”; “That would take too much work”; and so many other negative thoughts.  The websites suggests that you immediately counter that with “Why can’t I do that?” or “Yes, I can do that”. 

A close friend really liked a company that has great natural products.  These products are sold to friends through ‘parties’ where somebody demonstrates the products.  This friend is really sold on the products, it has made her life better.  She signed up to be a sales representative; but soon her self-talk became “I can’t do that”; “I’m not good at talking to people”; “I don’t like to call people and invite them to a party / demonstration”.  She believes in the products and also believes the products could be very helpful to others.  But, through her self-talk she has convinced herself that she can’t do it.

A quote used in an early lesson from Henry Ford “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you are correct”.  In this case, this friend thinks she can’t sell the product.

2.       Positive affirmations:  All day, keep repeating (probably quietly) to yourself positive affirmations “I can do this”; “I can call people to invite them to a product demonstration”; “I love this product and I really want to tell people about this”; “I can master Calculus”; “I can run five miles”. 

If my friend were to say “I can call people”, “I love this product and I really want to show it off”, and similar positive affirmations, she would change her negatives to positives.

 You have to concentrate to stop the negative self-talk.  Do you want to lose weight?  Do you lack ‘will power’?  Do you say to yourself “I just can’t ever lose weight”?  Can you change your thoughts to “Yes, I can and will lose weight”? 

Like your goals, write down your positive affirmations.  “I can” needs to replace “I can’t”. 

As you sit on the side of your bed, ready for sleep, repeat your affirmations, put them in your brain.

Assignment:
  • Today, listen carefully to your self-talk.  Count your negative thoughts.
  • Today, replace your negative thoughts with positive thoughts, change your “I can’t” affirmations into “I can” (and even better “I can, and I WILL”).
  • Tonight fill your brain with positive affirmations before bed.  What did you find in the morning? 


No comments:

Post a Comment