Change the way you talk to yourself and change your life. The primary difference between an insecure person and a confident person is the way they talk to themselves.
If we are confident, we focus on our positive qualities and downplay our negative qualities. We make allowances for our mistakes and don’t dwell on them.
If we are insecure, we do the exact opposite. We focus on our negative qualities and don’t acknowledge our many good qualities. We dwell on mistakes and rarely focus on the things we do well.
We all have Strengths and Weaknesses
The truth is, everyone has strengths and weakness. You are no better or worse in this regard than anyone else. When we are consumed with negative thoughts, we act impulsively, reactivity, and often irrationally. We do things you regret.
We are all flawed. We all make mistakes. We are all beautiful.
We are not the accumulation of our emotions, thoughts, and behaviours; these things can and do change. Our basic humanity and equality to others stays constant.
The Way You Talk to Yourself Determines Your Behaviour
The way we talk to ourselves is critical. Our thoughts cause our emotions, and our emotions prompt our behaviour.
Our self-talk determines our ability to handle stress, our confidence, and our outlook on life.
Until I started tuning into my own self talk, I had no idea how self-defeating it was. I can still slip into negative self-talk and must tune in and correct my thinking from time to time.
The quickest way to change your life for the better is to change your self-talk.
DBT Skill: Mindfulness of Current Thoughts
The key to mindfulness of current thoughts is to practice separating thoughts about ourselves and the world from the facts about ourselves and the world. We can do this by observing our thoughts as thoughts, and not as facts. It is helpful to actually say to yourself, “I am having the thought that . . .,” rather than stating your thought as a fact.
It is helpful to tune into your thoughts by sitting quietly and observing them as if they are clouds in the sky or leaves floating down the river. Notice the thought, recognize it as a thought, then let it float away.
“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
If you have an experience you’d like to share, add a comment at the bottom of the page. I’d love to hear from you.
For more information on this topic, read the related posts and links below. For specific DBT skills go to DBT Skills in the menu bar.
Related Posts
Pain is Inevitable but Suffering is Optional
Differentiating Between Thoughts and Emotions
Additional Resources
Use Positive Self-Talk for Stress Relief
15 Common Cognitive Distortions
