Talking to Yourself - Is it Weird, or You’re Superpower?
Remember that time you caught yourself giving yourself a pep talk before a first date? Or maybe you've whispered "I've got this" before walking into a job interview, starting your first day of school, or taking that driving test? Turns out, you weren't just being weird (okay, maybe a little weird, but the good kind!) – you were actually rewiring your brain for success.
From SNL to Science: The Evolution of Affirmations
I used to think affirmations were just woo-woo nonsense. What self-talk conjured in my mind was SNL's Stuart Smalley gazing into his mirror with his perfectly coiffed hair and baby blue cardigan, earnestly declaring "I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!" (I’m dating myself, BUT you can catch this and other iconic comedic gems during SNL's 50th anniversary celebration). Like, how is repeating some mirror mantra going to help when I feel like I might hurl before a client pitch? But then I discovered something fascinating.
The Science That Changed My Mind
Let me tell you about one of Harvard’s Dr. Ellen Langer’s mind-blowing studies (she has many!). She worked with hotel housekeepers who didn't consider their work to be exercise. Half the group was told that their daily work – pushing carts, changing sheets, scrubbing bathrooms – was actually exceeding the surgeon general's exercise requirements. Just this simple mindset shift resulted in measurable physical changes: lower blood pressure, decreased body fat, and weight loss. No changes to their actual work routine – just a shift in how they thought about what they were already doing!
That's the power of our thoughts, people. Science calls it neuroplasticity – your brain's amazing ability to rewire itself based on your thoughts and experiences. Every time you choose an empowering thought over a limiting one, you're literally creating new neural pathways. It's like upgrading your brain's operating system!
The Secret to Affirmations That Actually Work
But here's the catch – not all affirmations are created equal. Telling yourself "I am a billionaire" while eating ramen in your studio apartment might be a stretch that your brain just won't buy. The secret is creating affirmations that challenge your limiting beliefs while still feeling possible.
Your DIY Brain-Changing Toolkit
Ready to create some brain-changing affirmations? Here's your starter pack:
Catch yourself in the act: Next time you hear that inner critic pipe up, pause. What's the limiting belief? Write it down.
Flip the script: Transform that limiting belief into its empowering opposite. But keep it believable! If your limiting belief is "I'm terrible at public speaking," try "I'm learning and improving my speaking skills every day" instead of "I'm the world's greatest orator."
Make it personal: Your affirmations should feel like they're coming from your best friend who knows exactly what you need to hear. Use your name – research shows this makes them more powerful!
Add evidence: Back up your affirmations with proof from your life. "I am resilient" becomes "I am resilient – I've overcome challenges before and I can do it again."
Power Prompts to Get You Started
Try these prompts to get started:
"Even when things get tough, I..."
"I'm proud of myself for..."
"Every day, I'm getting better at..."
"I choose to believe..."
Here's my personal favorite that got me through starting my coaching practice: "I have valuable wisdom to share, and the right clients will find their way to me." Simple, believable, and empowering.
The Bottom Line
Remember, this isn't about positive thinking yourself into denial. It's about intentionally choosing thoughts that serve you better. Your brain is listening to every word you say – might as well make it good stuff, right?
So, what empowering thought will you choose today?
Building better brain pathways with you,
Julie