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The Transformative Power of Self-Talk
by Linda-Ann Stewart
"We are what we think about all day long." Ralph Waldo Emerson
You have, at your disposal, a very powerful tool that can reshape your brain and your mind, thereby transforming your life. You use it every day, consciously or unconsciously. Whether you call the process self-talk, affirmations or auto-suggestion, the results are the same. The thoughts and statements you repeat wire your brain and create your experience.
Your Statements Change Your Brain
If your thoughts are generally positive, your brain builds neurons in areas of the brain that support motivation, constructive behaviors, and increased self-worth. However if you're more pessimistic, the areas in your brain form more connections for anxiety, depression and self-doubt.
Your internal dialogue directs your attention, whether you habitually criticize, or deliberately boost your confidence. Your mind doesn't distinguish or care if you use positive or negative statements. It creates the pathways you instruct it to. And those pathways then affect your thoughts, moods, actions and behaviors.
When you do something that falls short of your expectations, do you say, "I can't to do anything right?" Or do you say, "Ok, I learned something and I'll do better next time?" The way you talk to yourself affects how you behave. The first statement wires your brain to discourage you from trying again. The second wires you for creativity and to problem solve.
You Can Train Your Brain How to Think
You can intentionally train your mind how to think. I don't mean tell yourself that, "I'm the greatest pianist of all time." Your conscious mind would instantly deny that, and erase the effectiveness of the phrase. In this case, repeat something like, "My skills and abilities are improving every time I practice."
When you choose the positive idea you want your brain to accept, make it one that is under your control and that's believable. Repeat it over and over, out loud, flooding your brain with the statement. You need to pay attention to what you're telling yourself so you build neurons that support your intention. By feeding your mind new, more positive statements, you'll create new pathways in your brain that support optimism and empower your highest potential.
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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