Member-only story
The ‘Right’ Way to Do Self-Talk (that you’re probably doing wrong)
The phrase “positive self-talk” drives me up a wall!
Understand that I say that, not only as a ridiculously positive person myself, but also as a coach who often trains others on the phenomenal power of self-talk.
The term “positive self-talk” irks me for two reasons; one, like so many intricate things, it simplifies self-talk to either ‘positive’ or ‘negative’…and it’s so much more than that. The second reason is that the term itself is simply wrong. It would be more accurate to call it “honest self-talk.”
Now, all of the pessimists reading this probably just disagreed and are currently spouting off in their own heads about being “realists” and how positivity is not ‘honest,’ but rather ‘Pollyanna-ish.’
Guest what? They’re helping to make my point for me.
I am not suggesting that ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ self-talk is better or worse than the other. That would be ridiculous. What I am suggesting is that your self-talk needs to be what it needs to be to best serve you in that moment.
How do I do that, you might ask? Here’s the easiest way to start — begin to talk to yourself like you would talk to a friend.
