The most powerful performance-enhancing drug – how you talk to yourself.
It’s the most powerful drug known to mankind. The performance edges that can be achieved from skillfully and consistent use of this drug include: increasing self-esteem, creating a dramatic boost in self-confidence, reframing and transforming meaning, and changes in behavior and attitude.
The ‘health warning’ that accompanies the powerful drug is in the fact that it is in abundance, is at no cost, and many people are simply not aware of its existence or power. Therefore it can easily be misused and is often abused.
Individuals often suffer untold damage without knowing what it is or who the culprit is until it’s too late, and that makes it even more dangerous.
Even after the cause (careless use) and effect have been recognized and understood it can take potentially years to repair the damage. Sadly, in many cases, the individual never fully recovers from its misuse, and it can destroy self-esteem, shatter confidence, and severely limit performance potential, particularly when the performance involves making decisions. – David Alred, The Pleasure Principle
YES! 🙏💪
Self talk is critically important! If you have never read the Inner Game of Tennis I recommend it. Helped me a lot with professional goals and as hobby trumpet player.
This is so tremendously important and something that we have coached into our children since they were old enough to listen. We do not allow negative self-talk. If they put themselves down they are just as much in trouble as if they were to talk down to someone else. We insist that they speak positively about themselves and others. They are required to have a “can-do” attitude and “can’t” is not allowed to be considered. This goes back to the saying by Henry Ford, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you are right”. Unfortunately, negative thinking will too quickly become a habit at which point it’s nearly impossible to overcome. Think positively!