(A review of some powerful ideas from a book by the same title authored byShad Helmstetter Ph.D.)
What do you say to yourself when ..
The alarm goes off at 6:00 a.m. Monday morning and you grope your way into the bathroom and first look in the mirror?
Did your first words to yourself work for you or against you? Dr.Helmstetter says that as much as 77% of what you tell yourself may be working against you!
Here’s Why.
You function in some ways similar to a computer. For example: A computer has(1) a screen(2) a keyboard and(3) a disk.
The disk will record anything you record on it from the keyboard. It doesn’t care what you put there–it will record anything! The screen will display whatever is recorded on the disk. One way to express this is GI–GO, or Garbage in–Garbage out!
Your “personal computer” is yourself. The “keyboard” is your five physical senses including every thought you think and every word you say to yourself .
Your subconscious mind is your disk. It records everything. It doesn’t care what you put in– it only records. Your screen or display is your actions or behavior which everyone sees.
If everything you tell yourself about yourself becomes a directive to your subconscious mind, then anytime you make a statement about yourself that is negative you are directing your subconscious mind to make you become the person you just described negatively!
Here are just a few examples of frequently used negative self-talk. As you read them, see if you know someone who says something similar, or if you have said something like any of these yourself:
I can’t remember names.I can’t seem to get organized.I can’t get interested in the scriptures.I don’t like school.I get sick just thinking about it.I just don’t have the patience!I’m too shy.That really makes me mad!I don’t have the energy I used to.I’m bored with this class .
• . .and on and on and on!
Fortunately there is a way to “re-program” your subconscious mind and rid yourself of any negative, destructive ideas and fears that may have been accumulating during your past years.
Here’s How: Positive Self-talk!There are four levels of self-talk:
Level 1. Negative–“I can’t, I won’t, if only I etc.Level 2. I will, I must, I’m going to. (Better than level 1, but the subconscious cannot act on this level to make things better because this level says “not now–later!)Level 3. Positive,· short statements like “I like you., I feel healthy,I feel happy, I feel terrific!Level 4. Positive detailed self-talk that specifically outlines a course of action.
Example: (I like to re-phrase positive scriptures and personalize them to make this level of self-talk)”I always let virtue garnish my thoughts unceasingly and Ifeel my confidence waxing strong in the presence of God. I ,-,will not knowingly allow anyone to put an unworthy or unwantedthought in my mind. I am in control and therefore qualify forthe constant championship of the Holy Ghost.”
I believe the principles in this book, What To Say When You Talk To Yourself are sound and have found them to be a great help to me personally.
To summarize: Thoughts create your beliefs, beliefs create your attitudes,attitudes create your feelings, and feelings create your behavior.
If you want to alter your feelings and behavior begin by altering your thoughts. “For as a man thinketh, so is he.”I hope you find these ideas helpful in shaping your attitude.
Merlin Frei
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