Believe in Yourself: The Power of Self-Talk

During my workout today, my personal trainer shared something that really resonated with me. Studies show that negative thoughts while working out can lead to quitting, whereas positive affirmations like "I can, and I will" can help you achieve your goals. As I struggled with a pull-up, I remembered Lindsey's advice and told myself, "I can, and I did."

This experience reminded me of the importance of self-talk in leadership and difficult conversations. Self-talk is crucial. I can do this; I may need to equip myself for the challenge or discussion. When coaching my clients, this often comes up. People say, "I don't like conflict; I stay away from it." I ask why. It's interesting what you can learn from someone else's perspective. It may be education, clear understanding of expectations, or maybe no one has ever given them feedback to improve. It's such a joy to help equip my clients through coaching to have these conversations and see them grow, be proud of themselves and say, "I can!"

I'm currently reading "Visioneering" by Andy Stanley, and one of the first lessons he shares is the birth of a vision. While some of us may have dreams or goals that we eventually abandon, Orville and Wilbur Wright had a different story. They believed they could fly and stumbled upon the physics that led to their first success. Despite not having a college education, they were determined and innovative. They closely followed the research of German aviator Otto Lilienthal and decided to start their own experiments with flight after Lilienthal's death. Their vision and belief culminated in the Wright brothers' historic flight on December 17, 1903. They truly exemplified the concept of visioneering!

Recently, I was coaching a client who shared an inspiring story with me. After months of coaching, she was asked to participate in a promotional video for her job. Her initial reaction was to say no, but she remembered our sessions and her goal to step out of her comfort zone. She decided to say yes and encouraged herself to be brave. I imagine there was some self-talk like "I can," and she did! She sounded proud of her growth and her ability to encourage herself.

Highlights: 

👉 Positive self-talk can help you achieve your goals. 

👉 Engaging in difficult conversations can lead to growth. 

👉 Believing in your vision is crucial to success.

"Vision is the art of seeing things invisible." - Johnathan Swift

What do you believe in that you have a dream about or courage that you have? A clear vision and belief, along with the courage to follow through, will help you accomplish your goals. What has your belief been to help you meet your goals? I would love to share more opportunities to coach with your team. Reach out if you are interested. I enjoy helping others become their best selves! 

Melissa