Improving self-talk and what you listen to

What you say to yourself matters.

We all want to feel good.

Feeling good helps us perform and act better, therefore getting different results.

But we don’t just feel good when good things happen.

We feel good because we choose to think and do the things that make us feel good.

Part of that… is the things we believe and tell ourselves.

So read on and examine - how is your internal self-talk? 

If you want to improve your results, maybe start by changing the things you tell yourself.

In today’s newsletter:

• How self-talk influences your career success

• The power to change your internal “soundtracks”

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CAREER TIPS

Does The Way You Talk to Yourself Matter to Your Success and Happiness?

Within the complexities of life, the way we communicate with ourselves holds profound significance. Our internal dialogue, often overlooked, plays a pivotal role in determining our mindset, success, and overall happiness. 

Carol Dweck, who's one of the founding people who researched the idea of the growth mindset, said this, "It's not always the people who start out the smartest who end up the smartest." This sets the stage for understanding the transformative influence of our self-talk.

The Impact of Self-Talk on Mindset

The difference between growth and fixed mindsets sets the backdrop for our internal narratives. "I am" statements that express limitations are often a manifestation of fixed-mindset beliefs and can act as silent barriers to personal and professional growth. In the engineering and technology industry, these limiting beliefs can be particularly stifling, hindering the unleashing of one's full potential.

Identifying Limiting Beliefs

To comprehend the power of positive internal conversations, it's crucial to recognize the limiting beliefs that are embedded inside ourselves. 

For example, as a young engineer, I navigated and embraced stereotypes and self-imposed restrictions such as being "analytical but not creative" or "good with numbers but not with people." These statements, though seemingly harmless, became formidable obstacles to progress as they kept me from trying things and putting effort into areas that would have helped me grow.

Changing the Narrative with Positive Affirmations

One remedy lies in the intentional transformation of our self-talk. Positive affirmations act as a powerful tool to reshape the narrative. By replacing limiting beliefs with positive "I am" statements, individuals can break free from the constraints of a fixed mindset. I've been doing it myself, jotting down affirmations in my journal every morning. It's like giving your mindset a power-up.

Let's Get Practical: Crafting Your Own Affirmations

Grab a journal and start crafting affirmations that resonate with your journey in engineering and personal development. The goal is to create statements that reflect where you want to go. It's a bit like a daily dose of inspiration tailored just for you.

Writing these things is not just a statement of what you’d like to be, but rather a commitment to who you are becoming!

Stay Consistent to Make the Change

Consistency is not just a buzzword. It's the secret sauce. By consistently repeating these positive affirmations, you're not just going through the motions. You're reshaping your thought patterns. Trust the process; it's a journey, not a sprint.

The way you talk to yourself is a silent architect of your destiny. Let's break down those limiting beliefs, embrace positive affirmations, and keep at it consistently. Inside your mind, the seeds of success and happiness are planted through intentional and positive self-talk. 

Ready to transform your life? Change how you talk to yourself!

📚 BOOK RECOMMENDATION

Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff

Overthinking isn't a personality trait. It's the sneakiest form of fear.

It steals time, creativity, and goals. It's the most expensive, least productive thing companies invest in without knowing. And it's an epidemic.

In Soundtracks, New York Times bestselling author Jon Acuff offers a proven plan to change overthinking from a super problem into a superpower with three simple steps:

• Retire your broken soundtracks

• Replace them with new ones

• Repeat them until they're as automatic as the old ones

If you want to tap into the surprising power of overthinking and give your dreams more time and creativity, learn how to DJ the soundtracks that define you.

If you can worry, you can wonder. If you can doubt, you can dominate. If you can spin, you can soar.