The Power of Positive Self-Talk

Sometimes when I'm out running and it starts to feel hard or my motivation just isn't there, the voice in my head starts to get louder . . . you know the one. The one that says “It's okay to quit!” The one that says “You're crazy for doing this, you're not a runner!” The one that says “You're too tired, you're too slow, you're too old, just give up.” Yeah that voice.

It's almost like I'm a cartoon character where on my left shoulder is this little devil version of Karen, but in my head I'm a mouse. I don’t know why, maybe because they're small and weak. And on the right side is a little angel version of Karen. She's still small, but she's positive and she's strong and she's encouraging. She tells me to fight through. She reminds me that I can do hard things, that I'm worth the effort, the time, the energy. I like her because she's loud and she's confident, she knows she has to be loud to overpower the little mouse on my left side and the louder she gets the quieter the left side mouse gets.

I often find myself talking out loud during hard workouts or long runs, hyping myself up and cheering myself on. While others might think I'm crazy, I'd rather be seen as a little crazy than a quitter. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to always have someone who provides encouragement, support, and insightful advice in difficult times or uncomfortable situations? Someone who tells us just what we need to hear to feel better.

I want you to take a few minutes and think about what you’ve said to yourself today. Was it critical? Or was it kind and helpful? How did you feel after you engaged in this inner dialogue?

Our thoughts dictate our mood, drive our emotions, and determine how we will connect with others. Those little conversations you have with yourself can be either destructive or beneficial. They influence how you feel about yourself and how you respond to events in your life.

Although positive self-talk comes naturally to some, most people need to learn how to initiate positive thoughts and banish the negative ones. With practice, it can become more natural to think good thoughts rather than bad ones.

Here are a few tips on how to empower that strong confident mouse on your right side, while quieting that little devil on your left side.

• Understanding Your Inner Dialogue: Our self-talk is the way we communicate with ourselves, shaping our perception of the world and influencing our reactions to events. It can be positive or negative, depending on our thoughts and beliefs.
• Breaking the Cycle of Negative Self-Talk: Our self-talk often reflects the language used by others in our lives, especially in our formative years. To change this pattern, we need to listen to our inner dialogue and reevaluate the negative thoughts.
• Empowering Positive Self-Talk: Surrounding yourself with positive influences can help shift your self-talk. Encouraging and supportive people, motivational quotes, and inspiring biographies can all reinforce positive thinking.
• Practicing Gratitude and Visualizing Success: Gratitude and visualization can help you focus on the positive aspects of your life and visualize your success. This positive mindset can reshape your self-talk and drive you toward your goals.
• Choosing a Positive Path: Positive self-talk is a choice. By recognizing your negative thoughts and consciously replacing them with positive affirmations, you can change your inner dialogue and empower yourself.

Positive self-talk is a powerful tool that can transform your mindset and your life. By challenging your self-limiting beliefs and embracing positivity, you can build resilience and pursue your goals with confidence. Remember, you have the power to shape your thoughts and beliefs. Choose positivity, and you'll be amazed at the difference it can make.

Let me know in the comments how positive self-talk has impacted your life!

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