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Talk
Yourself Up
by Lee J.
Colan, Ph.D.
(This report is an excerpt from the book
"Orchestrating Attitude".)
Did you know that you talk more to yourself
than to anyone else in the world? In the face of challenging
situations (and we all have our share), the words you choose for
that conversation with yourself will directly impact how long
you will find yourself in those situations. Use your words to
change your situation, not to describe it. The moment
you speak something – good or bad – you give birth to it as an
idea, an expectation, a desire. You have planted the seed that
will, sooner or later, grow into the results you will reap.
When you're feeling somewhat down-spirited, don't tell people
how you feel, tell them how you want to feel. By
controlling what you say and how you say it - using positive
words with enthusiasm - you help to change your physical and
mental state. As George W. Crane said, Act the way you'd like to
be and soon you'll be the way you act.”
I remember the year I started my own business. I jokingly refer
to it as “the year I told a million lies”. Let me explain. Like
most start-up businesses, I had my share of challenges,
disappointments and adjustments. I recall many well-intended
friends asking me, “Hey, Lee, how’s your business coming along?”
I could have described my situation by saying, “Gee, it’s been a
tough year. I have had to really dig into my savings to keep
things going and it’s been a lot harder than I thought it would
be to convert my existing business relationships into paying
customers. To boot, it’s a lot more work than I thought it would
be.”
Trust me, I had my moments, when that was exactly what I said,
but I noticed a trend. That type of response not only dragged my
friends down – and no one wants to hang around a downer for too
long – it was planting the seeds of doom for my business. So, I
decided to use my words to change my situation rather than
describe it. I wasn’t telling a lie, I was simply “choosing my
view”. So, I said something like, “I feel good about my
prospects and am confident that I am doing the right things that
will pay off long-term. Most importantly, I am passionate about
my work and that’s a victory in itself.” My words planted the
seeds of the success that was to come. The good news was that I
only had to tell a half-million “lies” my second year!
Most people enjoy working and living with people who live and
work with a positive, upbeat attitude. Tell people how you
want to feel and it won't be long before you do. So, the
next time you are feeling gloomy and a friend asks you how you
are doing….talk yourself up!
See how well you are really talking yourself up by taking the
Free Attitude Tune-up.
What do you say? Make it a great day!
Copyright © 2007 by Lee J. ColanReturn to Back Issues
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