Positive Attitude Information

Self Confidence and the Way You Use Your Words


The way we use language can have a huge impact on how we feel about ourselves.

By that, I don't mean what language we speak (English, French, Spanish, etc) but how we communicate with ourselves and with others.

We all have a constant dialogue going on in our heads and this has a strong impact on our self confidence. If our internal dialogue is negative, then we tend to feel negatively about ourselves, our situations, our circumstances. Equally, if our self-talk is positive, we feel better.

Being aware of this negative dialogue is the first step to correcting it.

The conversations we have within ourselves are as if we are actually saying them at the pace, tone and volume we would use if we were speaking to someone else. This is one of the major reasons that they are so powerful; it feels like it is the truth because we wouldn't lie to ourselves. We need to be sure that what we say is supportive.

Listen to what you say to yourself on a regular basis. Are the things you say negative or positive? Are these thoughts making you feel how you want to feel?

Start by writing down some of the things you say to yourself on a regular basis.

Write down the thoughts you have regularly or that are specific to a situation you find uncomfortable (or worse). Write as many as you can recall. Leave a space between each note so that you can write underneath it at a later stage. Think about the times when a perceived lack of confidence has got in your way and what you were saying to yourself in those moments.

For example, do any of these internal dialogues sound familiar:-

"Stop right there before you get embarrassed."

"Why me?"

"I wish I could just walk up to that person and say hello."

"Do not try it because you always fail."

"I cannot stand up in front of all these people and make a speech."

"I never get it right."

"I need to do more than this."

"If only I had more courage."

"People think I am an idiot because I get so flustered."

"I cannot do this because I have no confidence."

You can see how these self comments are very negative and are not likely to help you get the results that you are wanting. Not only are they negative, but they contain some powerful words that just embed the feelings you do not want even deeper into your thinking. You are, therefore, not only being negative in that moment, you are setting yourself up to feel the same way the next time that situation arises.

Look at the specifically negative words in the above sentences.

embarrassed,
why,
wish,
fail,
cannot,
never,
need,
if,
flustered,
cannot.

Simply by using such words you are allowing yourself to be put into a negative way of thinking. You are bound to feel badly about a certain situation if you approach it with these thoughts.

Now take a note of HOW you talk to yourself i.e. the pace, tone and volume. Is your conversation fast, harsh and/or loud? It is not just the words you use but how you say them.

You have already written down some of your own internal comments and conversations. Take a look at your notes and see if you can identify the negative words you have used. They will probably stand out like a sore thumb. If you are like most people you will discover that the things that you say to yourself are not very helpful to you.

Now that you understand this point you can begin to change the words, sentences, tone, and volume of your internal dialogue.

When you are communicating with others, you should use the same techniques as described here. Although our most common conversations are internal, it is important to realise that the same rules apply when we are talking to other people.

Again, be aware of your words, how you speak and practice putting your new knowledge into action. When you change what you say and how you say it in conversation, you will start to notice that you are getting a much better response.

Remember, YOU CHOOSE YOUR WORDS, whether consciously or unconsciously, so make the decision to deliberately override your previous habits and use words, sentences, tones and feelings that help you to get the results that you want.

Allan Cowley is a Life Coach working on a one-to-one basis with clients throughout the world. He provides online coaching via his website at http://www.uk-success-coach.com/

  


MORE RESOURCES:

SkySports

Capello hails positive attitude
Manchester.com, UK - 50 minutes ago
"The attitude of the team was good - they played with confidence and personality." Capello was also asked if he now faces a selection headache after seeing ...
Capello's 'dream' to coach GB in 2012 Independent
Fabio Capello on his dreams of coaching at the 2012 Olympics - the ... Daily Mail
all 97 news articles


GTI says a Positive Attitude is the Best Antidote for ‘credit ...
eTravelBlackboard MICE News, Australia - 6 hours ago
President of Global Tourism Interface, Gaël de La Porte du Theil, called on his guests to maintain a positive attitude which he said would be the best ...


KELOLAND TV

Can Sioux Falls Absorb More Layoffs?
KELOLAND TV, SD - 5 hours ago
Erickson says that positive attitude can help Sioux Falls withstand a worst-case scenario should a major employer lay off hundreds of workers. ...
Effects Of Layoffs On Sioux Falls Economy KELOLAND TV
all 2 news articles


Austin White's performance, positive attitude lift Spartans
Detroit Free Press, United States - Nov 15, 2008
But him staying positive, running up and down the sidelines saying how we were going to win, I think that's the key. "I'm really proud of his leadership. ...


It's A Miracle: A Woman Defies All Odds After Severe Injury
New York's CW11 / WPIX-TV, new york - 10 hours ago
Kelly attributes her success to keeping a positive attitude. "Attitude is 100% of your recovery it really does make a difference," she said. ...


Communication, positive attitude make big difference in life
al.com, AL - Nov 16, 2008
... High School and now at Gulf Shores High School, where she recently received the school's "Big Splash" award for her positive attitude and hard work. ...


WKRG-TV

New Escambia County School District Superintendent
WKRG-TV, AL - Nov 18, 2008
As role models, our attitude matters. Therefore, I pledge to you that I will model a respectful, dignified and positive attitude as we work together to meet ...


Biz People: Customer service can make or break a biz
ReporterNews.com, TX - 5 hours ago
But she controls the service and the attitude. It’s not always easy, but necessary. Keeping a positive attitude and a cheery disposition is so important to ...


Hoffman shares positive attitude in hospital work
The Jackson Citizen Patriot - MLive.com, MI - Nov 12, 2008
Carol Beck, manager of volunteer services, said she appreciates the positive attitude Hoffman brings to his work at the hospital. ...


Bill to fund ASG T-shirts rejected
Daily Northwestern, IL - 2 hours ago
ASG president Neal Sales-Griffin had a more positive attitude toward the bill, saying the point was "not to cause a big ruckus about students' money. ...

positive attitude - Google News

Article List | Index | Site Map
All logos, trademarks and articles on this site are property and copyright of their respective owner(s).
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest is Copyright © 2006 CanadaSEEK.com - All Rights Reserved.