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4 Steps to Transforming Your Thoughts through Self-Talk
by Linda-Ann Stewart
Your thoughts become your beliefs.
Your beliefs trigger your feelings.
Your feelings create your attitudes.
Your attitudes promote your actions.
Your actions lead to success or frustration.
There is a direct line between your thoughts and how well you do in life. Unfortunately, most of the mental programming behind your thoughts is undermining and sabotaging your efforts. This is because between 65% and 80% of what you tell yourself is counterproductive. Your thoughts are habits, programmed in your past from other people.
Because you were too young to know better, you absorbed older authority's ideas and assessments, and began acting as if they were true. Those opinions went directly into your subconscious mind. Over the years, you reinforced the negative programming as you repeated those beliefs to yourself. As a result, those detrimental thoughts being so familiar and reflexive went unnoticed.
You Can Direct Your Thoughts
When you do start to become aware of your old thoughts, you can change them into more supportive and productive ideas. Instead of letting your past concepts control you, you can direct your thoughts. You have the ability to transform what you tell yourself, so that your thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors support your goals and aspirations. You simply have to use the same process you've been using, but in a more constructive way.
But you first have to become aware of those thoughts. And that's the hardest part. Those old ideas have been flying around under your mental radar for years. Once you identify what those beliefs are, then you can change them by deciding what you want to tell yourself. Instead of criticizing yourself, give yourself beneficial feedback that aligns with the vision for your life.
Steps to Transform Your Thoughts
First step – Awareness of the old thought.
You have to catch that old thought as it streams through the edges of your mind.
Begin to notice when you're tense, upset, sad, depressed, overwhelmed, anxious, or angry when nothing in your environment is in upheaval. If nothing in your immediate situation seems to be causing those emotions, check what thoughts are running through your mind. Identify the one(s) that are promoting your distress.
Second step - Assess that old thought.
Bring the old thought to the front of your mind and examine it. Ask yourself the following questions.
- Is it accurate?
- Who says it's true? This could be some idea you accepted sometime earlier in life, without considering whether it was a fact.
- How can you challenge that old thought? What are some facts that would neutralize it?
Third Step - Transform that old thought.
Shift to a new perspective with the following questions.
- What other things can you tell yourself that would be more productive?
- What do you aspire to in this area or circumstance?
- Develop a statement that directs you to the new way you want to believe, feel or act.
Fourth Step – Be consistent with the new thought.
To be successful with this method, you have to counteract the old thought with the new one whenever the old one surfaces.
- Repeat your new statement over and over, whenever you think of it.
- To give your new statement more power, repeat it out loud, in a forceful voice. If you're alone, you can even shout it. The emotion will get the attention of your subconscious and it will respond more quickly.
The Power of Persistence
You may notice, as you begin to change, that the old idea may try to fight you. It may try to make you doubt yourself. That's normal. The subconscious doesn't like change. Just acknowledge the objection as an outdated concept, and continue repeating your new choice. Pretty soon, your subconscious will accept your direction and support it.
When you transform your thoughts, it also transforms your behaviors and decisions. You begin to take actions that lead to greater success and fulfillment in your life. Changing your thoughts really can change the course of your life.
Copyright © 2009-2026 Linda Ann Stewart
All Rights Reserved
As a focus mentor, hypnotherapist, and writer, Linda-Ann Stewart motivates women to focus and transform their business through deliberate actions that break through distraction and overwhelm to greater success, freedom, wellbeing and prosperity. Register for her FREE Design Your Best Day guide and guided meditation at www.Linda-AnnStewart.com/guide.html. You can contact her at LAS@Linda-AnnStewart.com or 928-600-0452.
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