I wonder Chris,
How does one’s internal dialogue effect SELF DEVELOPMENT? How we can improve it!
Signed,
Better inner dialogue
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Thank you for your question, better inner dialogue!
I think we underestimate the power of our inner dialogue and it’s effect on our self development.
As an example, my Mom would always say to me…
You can do anything you set your mind to.
I will tell you, there have been MANY MANY times in my life, that I had to hear that said, internally.
When I would take new positions or take on new responsibilities that were foreign to me, I’d remind myself of my Mom’s sage words. As a result, it ALWAYS worked out for me.
Your inner dialogue has a massive impact on your ability to create, develop and “be” in the world. Think about all the times you had to pull yourself together, stop yourself from losing it or celebrated a secret success.
All of these events required an inner dialogue to support you.
Now, how can you improve it?
Here’s some of the things I’ve done and have coached others to do…
Tap into your past experiences
What you’ve done in the past holds a rich array of examples, to show you what you’re capable of. You’ll find that things you may fear now, were things you overcame, but forgot about.
If you need to, get a journal and capture past experiences where you’ve overcome something, achieved a goal, or set a new one. Identify what the steps were and how you felt as a result.
This taps into your past experiences and helps you create a supportive inner dialogue in the future.
Create your own inspiration
What pumps you up and reminds you of the spark of brilliance you are in the world? Is it a particular quote from a favorite author? Is it a picture of someone standing on top of a mountain? Is it a song or piece of music that just moves your heart and soul?
Find or create that piece of inspiration and keep it handy for whenever you need it or want to share it. You’ll find in the moment that you need it, it will serve you and inspire a positive and supportive inner dialogue.
Engage in a meditation practice
Now I know you’re either rolling your eyes or your saying, “who has time for that”? I hear you. I started meditating after visiting a resort 20 years ago and took a session. I liked it, but I was in a location where it FIT. Now back in the “real world” how the hell was I going to maintain it.
Because of the way it made me feel, I made it work. And to this day, I set my alarm 30 minutes earlier than I have to get up and I sit for 20 minutes, quietly and allow for whatever is to be. My inner dialogue supports me the rest of the day because of the peace I experience.
So if meditation is not your jam, let me suggest that you try it anyway. Any time you sit down quietly and think…you actually drop into a meditative state. So many people think it’s about “clearing your mind” and thinking of “nothing.” But THAT is THEIR experience.
YOU make meditation work for you…NOT the other way around.
And then it becomes this deeply enriching experience that you want to return to over and over again. It improves your inner dialogue and your ability to accelerate your self development, with ease.
You’ll discover a greater degree of self development, self improvement and self care if you use any one of these methods to enhance your inner dialogue and thus your self development.
Go for it…you’re certainly worth it!
~ Find the gift!
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