Have you ever considered the power of your self-talk to improve your self-image?  If you’re in the habit of constantly putting yourself down, doubting your potential or dismissing your accomplishments in life, you are detracting from your inner strength and limiting yourself in a myriad of ways.  Over time, these negative messages will eat away at your self-image, leaving barely a shadow of the person you could have been.

The great news is that a negative self-image doesn’t have to be permanent!  Positive self-talk has the complete opposite effect on your self-image that negative self-talk does.  It helps you to build your inner strength and empower you to strive for more in life.

Most of the time you are largely unaware of your self-talk, which usually consists of messages you’ve received from people in your life as well as things you’ve said to yourself (verbally or mentally); plus playbacks of old limiting beliefs, thoughts, and experiences.

Even though most of these messages take place subconsciously, you still have more control over them than you might think!  Changing them to more empowering and encouraging messages is fairly easy to do with a little focused attention and consistent reinforcement.

Try the techniques below to begin changing your self-talk and empower yourself from within:

Positive Reinforcement

The more you speak negatively to yourself, the worse you’ll end up feeling about yourself!  You’ll experience an ongoing sense of frustration, emptiness or even shame, often without understanding why you feel that way.  Unfortunately you may be engaging in negative self-talk without even noticing, but total awareness isn’t necessary to begin turning it around.

Instead, form a new conscious habit of speaking positively and encouragingly to yourself as often as you can.  Build yourself up with supportive, nurturing language.  Rather than berating yourself when you make mistakes, try something more encouraging like, “No big deal; it’s just a mistake - everyone makes them!  Next time I’ll know better and do better.”

Stand before a mirror and give yourself compliments every day.  Find qualities and traits that you are genuinely proud about, and emphasize them!  Compliment your physical features, career achievements, sense of humor or anything else you like about yourself.  

Even more importantly, be sure to speak to yourself just like you would to someone you care about.  Rather than tearing yourself down or beating yourself up, be respectful and kind - just like you would to someone else you respect and love.

Become your own cheerleader

Have you ever become overwhelmed with anxiety and doubt when you think about doing something challenging?  Instead, cheer yourself on!  Before attempting anything that makes you nervous or unsure of your abilities, pump yourself up with mental cheers like, “I know I can do this!  I am strong, capable and ready to face this head on!”

Not only should you encourage yourself, you should praise yourself every time you do something well.  It doesn’t have to be a huge, life-changing achievement, just something that you did your best on and feel good about.  For example, your self-talk might go something like these suggestions:  “Wow, I’m so proud of myself for applying for that job!  I’ve wanted to make changes for awhile and I finally went ahead and took a risk and I feel great!”  Or, “I feel so good about that project I just finished!  It wasn’t easy, but I hung in there and did my absolute best, and that’s going to come back to me in great ways.”

Loving language

In addition to making your self-talk more powerful, try also to express deep love for yourself exactly as you are.  Most people tend to feel that something has to change before they can truly love themselves, like making a big accomplishment, losing a few pounds or becoming more successful.  However, your self-love should not be dependent on anything you do!  You are lovable simply for the person you are.  Be sure to love your individuality; your personality traits and unique characteristics, rather than basing your self-love on surface stuff.

Some of these suggestions may be difficult to incorporate into your life if you’re used to treating yourself with less care, but they will get easier the more you do them.  They’ll seem even easier if you focus on simply having fun with the process, rather than trying to get it “perfect.”  Eventually, your positive self-talk will begin overriding any lingering negative thoughts and beliefs, and creating a whole new sense of empowerment in your life!