Jim Kwik, famous brain coach says, “Your brain is like a supercomputer, and your self-talk is the program it will run.”
He believes that if you tell yourself you’re not good at remembering names, you won’t remember the name of the next person you meet because you programmed your super-computer not to.
To put it in simple words, just like you update your phones with new software, keep updating your brain with positive new self talk every now and then.
Let me introduce you to a new concept that’ll titillate your intellectual taste buds. Do you know that there is a fundamental connection between the brain (neuron), language (linguistic), and our internal and external behaviours (programming)? It’s called neuro-linguistic programming.
Self talk is a form of neuro-linguistic programming. In a layman’s way, our bodies respond to what we say, both externally, and internally.
Let me ask you, do you ever pass judgement on others? You must’ve. Do you what happens when you do that?
When you say bad things about other people, you run the risk of encouraging such thoughts about yourselves. Say you called someone selfish, lazy, obnoxious, and inconsiderate or any such word. Fact is that, sooner or later, you’ll likely harbour similar opinions about yourselves.
WHERE TO START WITH THE POSITIVE SELF TALK?
Understanding the ‘I am’
‘I am’ is probably the first thing you learn in school to talk about yourself. But it’s not only limited to introducing yourself to others. Start using it to introduce yourself to your brain.
Robert Richman is a public speaker and a best-selling author. He says that using the words “I am” sends a powerful message to the brain.
“I am” statement is a statement of identity.
Let’s face it; we use “I am” statements too often. So how to filter the negative from positive with these two words?
The next time you say the words, “I am,” listen carefully to what follows. If it’s a positive statement, such as I am energized, or I am optimistic, then — great! Keep it up!
But if what usually follows your “I am” statements is a negative declaration or a temporary mood, make a subtle change: try shifting from “I am” to “I feel.”
There’s a huge difference between these statements. Where one is a fundamental attribute of the self, the other implies a passing emotion that isn’t an essential component of your personality.
What else can you do?
As mentioned before,
Don’t Speak ill of Others
Whether you’re alone or with your confidant or close family, don’t do it. Don’t forget — the body and mind are listening at all times. You must’ve heard, “if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it at all.”
That’s all you need to follow.
Here’s a little task in this direction:
Challenge yourself to deliver three compliments a day to others, even if they’re perfect strangers. You’ll feel great, and so will those you interact with.
