Confidence Building and Positive Self-Talk based on "How to Increase Self-Confidence: Choose Yo

Mr. Razzetti's article deals with the importance of the words we use to convey our thoughts, and especially the words we use to talk to ourselves. He asks the key question" "Would you allow anyone to speak to you the way you speak to yourself?"

Self-talk can indeed motivate us and provide confidence, but oftentimes our self-talk is negative so we must choose our words carefully. Based on the author's experience, these are the worst 'negative words':

- "I can't": low self-confidence or a perfectionist mindset

- "I have to": approach each day with a sense of excitement and enthusiasm

- "I should" : sign of guilt or what others expect us to do

However, there are 5 steps you can take to improve your self-talk:

1. Awareness: Notice very carefully how you talk to yourself.

2. Positive affirmations: Repeat these to yourself frequently: "I know who I am and I am enough"; "It's okay to be broken. And it's okay to let the broken parts mend."; "I choose to be present and mindful right now."; "I am in control of the way I respond to the vehavior of others."; "I'm grateful for the life I have."

3. Replace negative words with positive ones such as "I have to" with "I want to"

4. Pause, Reflect & Talk: Think about what you are saying, and if the talk is negative, replace it with positive words.

5. Increase Positive Self-Talk thru practice. It all takes time but is well worth the effort.

To read this article in its entirety, please go to https://medium.com/personal-growth/the-power-of-words-how-to-improve-self-confidence-1cef68da7d61