Boost Your Confidence with Positive Self-Talk

Career Makeover Strategy#4:

Use self-talk and affirmations to build your confidence about taking the next step towards the career and lifestyle you want. Here are four ways to use positive self talk:

• Imagine a positive outcome. Create a very clear picture of the successful outcome you want – do not yet worry about how you will get there. Research has shown that our subconscious mind is very powerful and once the seed of a successful result is placed in there, it will take root and will guide you in various ways to help make this come true.
• Make affirmations. Affirmations are merely positive self-talk statements, which usually start with ‘I’, are brief but clear and always talk about the present. For example: I am healthy and strong, I can make a difference, I am a good friend, I have unique talents and abilities, Even if I make mistakes, I am a good person, I want to grow and I am willing to take risks for it.
• Stay positive. Instead of stating things in the negative, put a positive spin on it. Instead of saying, ‘I am not afraid…’ Say ‘I am confident while making my presentation’. And keep the statement for today, not tomorrow, not later, now! This will help your subconscious mind to realize that the result you want is for today and for now. Use the powerful words – I am….-rather than the tentative could, should, can or will.
• Keep it simple. Using brief sentences helps your subconscious to remember them better. Long rambling sentences are quickly forgotten and may even help you get more confused. Use simple sentences to start the reprogramming of your thought process.