As an avid runner I place a high value on the intimate conversations I have with myself while running.
It’s a great time to think, reflect, ponder, pray and yes, talk to myself about my life. Call me crazy.
Crazy or not, on some level, all of us have our own form of “self-talk”.
For some it’s more conscious than for others. But the fact is we’re constantly feeding our minds with positive or negative thoughts, ideas, hopes, or fears about whatever is currently relevant in our life.
It’s ironic that each of us wants wonderful things to happen in our lives but usually spend more time doubting, worrying, and dwelling on exactly what we don’t really want. I don’t know why we lean towards that type of negative “self-talk”.
Here’s what I do know; if we make a concerted effort to work toward and dwell on what we do want, hope for wonderful things, expect that they will occur, and choose to be happy despite our obstacles, we’ll be much more joyful and we’ll eventually get what we seek. It’s the truth.
Comedian Jim Carrey once explained his own experience with specific, positive self-talk.
He explained, “When I wasn’t doing anything in this town, I’d go up every night, sit on Mulholland Drive, look out at the city, stretch out my arms, and say, ‘Everybody wants to work with me. I’m a really good actor. I have all kinds of great movie offers.’ I’d just repeat these things over and over, literally convincing myself that I had a couple of movies lined up. I’d drive down that hill, ready to take the world on, going, ‘Movie offers are out there for me, I just don’t hear them yet.’ It was like total affirmations, antidotes to the stuff that stems from my family background.”
Lucky for him, he didn’t pay attention to the negativity of his family background and chose to affirm his success instead.
I’d say it worked out pretty well for Jim Carrey.
Why not you, too?
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Tags: business, entrepreneurship, jim carrey, positive self talk, self help
May 5, 2011 at 7:11 pm |
I remember a time in my life when using affirmations only gave me “more” evidence of what I felt I lacked. It took a long time for me to be able to take in any kind of love, especially my own. What I find that works for me is gratitude for everything I do have, including my own ability to be kind to me!
May 5, 2011 at 7:19 pm |
Jan, Thank you for that. I’ve also learned that simply being grateful for what we already have brings a lot of happiness and makes it easier to expect positive outcomes in our lives…
May 5, 2011 at 9:07 pm |
I believe in it, but don’t do enough of it. In early 2000 I would say this affirmation out loud that I learned from a prosperity conscious teacher for a period of 6 months or so. Here is that affirmation…
“Everything and Everyone Prospers Me Now, and In Return I Will Be A Blessing to Others!”. It was during that time I started attracting Millionaires into my path. I even had lunch with a millionaire and just talked. Don’t know if it was coinsidence or matter of fact? It sure didn’t hurt! Maybe I should start doing it again.
May 5, 2011 at 9:56 pm |
I think it’s worth starting to do it again!
May 6, 2011 at 6:01 am |
Jeff,
Back in the early 90′s my wife and I were introduced to Dr. Shad Helmstetter and his self-talk series. We found it to be very helpful in reprogramming ourselves and we have also taught these techniques to our kids. GREAT STUFF!
May 6, 2011 at 6:36 am |
In the “day-to-day” (9-5 j.o.b., driving to/from work, etc.) I find myself being more and more negative and angry at others… and I recognize it and it makes me feel worse about myself!
When I am planning and working toward something I love, though (e.g. the theatre website I am building, or my flying career), I find that my spirits are raised, I’m happy and positive, and I’m thinking and moving toward my definition of success instead of wholesaling my time to make other people rich!
So while I need to work more on my “self-talk,” I’m really learning that I need to spend more time on things that I am passionate about instead of slogging through my days to “get that paycheck.”
May 6, 2011 at 6:03 pm |
yeah, angry and negative isn’t fun! keep working on spending time on what you’re passionate about…that will bring a lot more satisfaction to you.
May 6, 2011 at 7:02 am |
I truly believe this works. I have negative thoughts about my present situation and it drags me down. I am going to give this a wholehearted try to make it work for me. I am at a point in my life that I need every aspect to be positive.
Positive thinking brings positive change and effect to your life.
May you be blessed.
May 6, 2011 at 6:03 pm |
Thank you Eric! Keep it up!
May 6, 2011 at 5:54 pm |
I am very happy to find reviews as productive as this thank you very much God bless
May 6, 2011 at 6:04 pm |
Thank you Ricardo!
May 11, 2011 at 12:44 am |
Great points, Jeff. I’d add that most folks aren’t even aware of their self talk, but one of the best ways to know what that is, is simply to observe your current reality. It’s that unconscious self talk that’s driving what happens in our lives- and refueling our engines. So, if we’re happy in our jobs, but not so happy with the kids or spouse, one of the best things to do is to consciously start “talking” to ourselves about the latter in a positive light ( e.g.I’m so lucky to have these children who teach me so much) because you can bet that inner talk has been fostering the outer reality. I call it putting premium gas into our mental think tanks! It’s amazing how much farther we all can get on a tank like that…
June 23, 2011 at 5:45 pm |
Excellent advice, you’re exactly right. Thank you!
May 29, 2011 at 9:04 pm |
Great post! I am a total believer in self-talk.
I find that I always manifest whatever is in my mind most – whether it’s negative or positive!
Especially books! When I think I need to learn more about this topic… or thing… I always come across a book on the subject… just obvious right?
or focused on raising $10k, I raised the money, not in the way I expected… but if I have any doubts, then everything stops…
what’s the expression? Heaven and Earth Move, once you have faith.
George.
June 23, 2011 at 5:43 pm |
Thank you George, I appreciate it!