How to Use Positive Self-Talk to Pump Up Your Performance

I see it all the time with my clients.

Someone will get behind in her blog posting schedule and beat herself up about it.

Another person will get too stressed out at work and then skip the gym for a week…or two.

And still another will make a poor money decision and feel like she’ll never be able to take control of her finances.

We all struggle occasionally when it comes to our goals, but I’ve noticed that the people who are eventually successful do something very differently than those who will continue to fail.

After messing up, they use a technique called “positive self-talk.”

Here’s how it works. After a disappointment, you have the choice to either build yourself up or cut yourself down.

How many times have you heard someone say, “I’m so stupid! I can’t believe I did that!” or something similar? Probably a lot.

On the other hand, positive self-talkers say things like, “That’s OK. I’ll get it next time. I’m improving a little bit every day.”

At the risk of sounding like a new-age hippie, I want to talk about the law of attraction and how it can help improve your productivity and performance.

The law of attraction states that “like attracts like,” so people who constantly berate themselves for not reaching their goals are only perpetuating that outcome.

In other words, you are what you think.

By focusing on positive thoughts, you’ll attract more positive energy to you. This is exactly why boxer Muhammad Ali always said, “I’m the greatest!”

Easy Ways to Use Positive Self-Talk

• Before the start of your workday say out loud everything you want to happen. For example, “I’m going to finish this report in record time. Then I’ll get a payment from that late client without having to remind her again.”
• Later when your resolve begins to falter (because it will!), pep yourself up with some encouragement. For example, “I can do this! I got this! I’m smart and capable!”
• At the end of your workday, take a moment to positively frame what you just did. For example, “I completed as much work as possible today, and I’m proud of my progress. I’m getting closer to my goals every day!”

Positive self-talk may seem a little silly at first if you’re not familiar with using your words to build yourself up.

But you’ll be motivated to continue when you realize how good it makes you feel…and feeling good will make you keep going!

Do you use positive self-talk?

Come over to Facebook and share a positive affirmation about yourself.

This post focuses on Step 3 of the Life Editing Process, Add Good Habits and Routines. For more about life editing and what it can do for you, click here.