Recasting Self-Talk Aids Outlook

Take a mental inventory of your personal explanatory style, the way you speak to yourself and others.

Language is a powerful shaper of our lives. Do you say, “I have to go to work. I have to exercise. I have to pick up the children,” making everything sound like a joyless duty?

Do we really have to go to work? Or, especially in this time of staff reductions and increased robotics, are we allowed or able to go to work?

Do we have to exercise? Or, given the multiple benefits of exercise, are we glad we can exercise?

Do we have to pick up the children or help others? Or, knowing what our lives might be without them, are we grateful that we can pick up the children or have children to pick up?

Take a few minutes now and make a list. List all the parts of your life that help give meaning to it.

List people, places, events, pets and ideas - anything that adds dimension and texture to your life. Then, next to each item, write a sentence using your normal language to describe your attitude toward it.

Are there several that contain “have to” or “must” remarks?

Are the words you used to describe the items on your list the best choice of words? Do they convey the depth and sincerity toward the major, important parts of your life?

If they do, good! Reframe those items that contain negative or ambiguous language. Rewrite your descriptions. Reprogram your mind and internal dialogue to reflect their true importance to you.

The language we choose when we talk to ourselves at a near constant stream of 350 or words per minute shapes our perception of the world. By consciously monitoring it, we can direct our attitude into a positive, self-reinforcing channel.

We can wake up and say, “Oh good, I get to go to work today. Then I can go to the gym before I pick up the children.”

Use positive, direct words such as can, able, want, glad, happy, exciting and fun to describe your life’s main attractions. If everything else in our world remained constant and we only changed our internal dialogue from negative to positive, we could become healthier, happier people. Why? Optimists have more fun!

The research on this is clear. Optimists enjoy life more, and positive thoughts produce immune-system-enhancing chemicals.

With a stronger immune system, we are better able to fight disease.

Aren’t you glad that you have a job or that your business is open? Wouldn’t you long for the opportunity to exercise if you suddenly became ill or disabled? Wouldn’t your life be something less than it is without your children or friends to share it with?

Admit what is important. Be grateful for what you have. Certainly, be open to more, if that is your dream. However, do stop and periodically count your blessings and enjoy them right now while they are yours to enjoy.