What Is Self-Talk and How Does It Affect You?

Do you have an inner voice that tells you about your life? Does it allow you to express both happy and negative emotions? Does it make predictions about the future, what you should do, or what other people believe as events unfold? If that's the case, you're not alone.

Many people have internal monologues that are moulded by their conscious and unconscious feelings, thoughts, and beliefs. Self-talk is the term for these monologues. Our self-talk can take on a variety of tones. It can be upbeat, hopeful, and beneficial. It can also be pessimistic, depressing, defeatist, and stifling.

 

Self-talk: The Good and the Bad

We tend to feel more capable of living positive lives when our self-talk is positive and helpful. We might feel more confident, assured and capable of accomplishing more. As a result, we are more likely to take constructive behaviours in our daily lives. 

When our self-talk is negative, on the other hand, it can hold us back. When we're in a bad mood, things appear tough, failure seems certain, and trying new things may not even seem worthwhile. We are less inclined to take beneficial actions in our lives when this is the case.

The tone of our self-talk shifts for various reasons. It is, however, something that we may learn to manage to a degree. People who learn to manage their self-talk are regarded to be better able to control their lives in a good way. Confidence, a sense of control, motivation, productivity, or just cheerfulness can all be signs of this.

 

What's Good about Positive Self-talk?

Positive self-talk and positive thinking, in general, offer numerous advantages. Some of them are unexpected. Adopting an optimistic mindset can genuinely improve various physical outcomes, in addition to helping to boost performance at work and general satisfaction. 

It can, for example:

• Improve cardiovascular health, 

• Physical well-being, 

• Life expectancy, 

• Reduce pain, and 

• Increase life satisfaction. 

Clearly, these are substantial advantages.

 

Instances of Self-talk

Self-talk is a common occurrence. The type of self-talk we bring into a situation shapes our perspectives, interpretations of the world, and eventually, our behaviour.

Take a look at the following scenario at the workplace: Your manager says they'd want to chat with you about contributing to another project, even though you're very busy working on one. In such a situation, your self-talk can impact how you feel, act, and the outcomes that occur.

 

Examples of Negative Self-talk

If you have negative self-talk at the time, you might "hear" phrases like these:

• "I can't take on any more work because I'm already busy."

• "Oh no, I'm going to fail this project if I have to do any more work."

• "My supervisor obviously doesn't realise how hard I'm already working; else, they wouldn't approach me about a new project."

• "Perhaps they'll remove me from this project because I'm not performing well enough."

As a result of this pessimistic outlook, you may enter the discussion with your supervisor with a bad attitude. Before you listen to them, you might have stiff body language and a concerned facial expression, or you might say something about how busy you are. 

This could make you feel worried and lead your supervisor to believe you're not coping, which they didn't think you were previously. Clearly, any number of scenarios are possible, but the fact is that negativity can be self-fulfilling.

 

Examples of Positive Self-talk

On the other hand, if you have positive self-talk, you can be "hearing" inner monologue say things like:

• "My supervisor must believe I'm doing okay because they want to talk to me about it more."

• "This project has taught me a lot, and I'm curious just how much I could learn on a new project."

• "I'm sure the skills I learnt on this project will come in handy if I ever have to deliver another project."

• "A new project would be a fantastic way for me to meet additional individuals at the company and expand my network."

You can tell what's going to happen in this situation. In this case, your positive mindset means that you approach your supervisor with a positive attitude. You're kind, outgoing, expressive, and self-assured. Your supervisor picks up on your confidence and is delighted and supportive.

They may inquire as to what extra resources you require to work on both projects and what they can do to assist you. Everything is fantastic, and you leave as best friends. That is, of course, a hyperbole, but you get the idea.

 

Source: World of Work