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Positive Self-Talk An Extract from Victor Perton's book "Optimism: The How and Why."
Positive Self-Talk: Positive self-talk is a big part of learning to be more optimistic. Empower yourself.
All of us feel anxious, worried and sad at some time. In times of anxiety and sadness, reaffirming your desire to be more optimistic is more crucial than ever.
Where pessimists see problems, optimists see opportunities. If you change how you look at issues and challenges, your problems may diminish in importance and can transform into opportunities to learn and discover your inner strengths.
Mistakes and second-best results are opportunities for you to learn, not failures to endure. Don't take setbacks personally - they happen to everyone.
As the author R.H. Lewis said to me, "Our voice is the only voice in our head. What we say makes us optimistic or pessimistic. The choice is ours."
If you find yourself preoccupied with a problem, feeling negative, or experiencing self-doubt, change your focus by asking:
What part of the problem is in my control? Acknowledge what you can and cannot control. The things that are out of your control are out of your control. Focus on what you can change.
What can I do to improve the situation or solve the problem?
What positive and productive ideas do I have to overcome or manage the situation?
What resources do I have to overcome the threat or situation?
What are the opportunities presented to me by the situation?
Does the situation provide an opportunity for me to learn more about my strengths and positive qualities?
Can I find humour in the situation? Can I reduce the tension with a joke?
In a world of 8 billion people, does anyone else care about this mistake or setback?
What would God say if he was looking over my shoulder?
You can make positive self-talk a habit. You become better equipped to handle life's challenges and maintain an optimistic outlook in adversity. This habitual positivity helps foster self-belief and confidence, critical ingredients for personal and professional success.
If you want to develop as an infectiously optimistic leader, use variations of these questions to empower your team and colleagues to think differently.
Remember, the "leader looks like the person in your mirror."
Write Positive Affirmations
You can reinforce the habit of positive self-talk with regular positive affirmations.
"The Inspiring Voices of Optimism" Part 3 of the book "Optimism: The How and Why", is a page-a-day section for many readers.
Reading the thoughts of others is positive - imagine the greater strength of focusing on your wisdom and insights and writing them down to enhance your optimism.
Evidence shows it is a way of lifting yourself and those around you.
Please share them face-to-face and on social media when you feel the quality merits it.
Writing down short statements can remind you of your strengths.
While I'm not too fond of yellow Post-its, many people do, and you can leave those affirmations in places to help you, family and friends.
An experiment:
Write a message on your mirror at home or work reminding you that "The Leader looks like the person in my mirror" or, more simply "I am an optimist."
Some experts on writing positive affirmations recommend choosing one negative thought you have about yourself and writing down the positive opposite that counteracts that belief.
It's worth a try too.
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