"When you talk to yourself, you listen. No matter what you say, you're listening... and recording it in your memory." - Mike Brescia

(Just like affirmations and visualizations, self-talk has always existed, since the beginnings of Humankind.

However, it becomes a highly efficient success mindset tool when used CONSCIOUSLY, to achieve, clear, specific goals.

The key-word here is "consciously", because you deliberately decide where to direct your self-talk, what affirmations you will make, and, of course, you deliberately set goals you have chosen for yourself)

You continually talk to yourself.

You congratulate yourself, blame yourself, swear at yourself, sneer at yourself, call yourself names, laugh at yourself.

This inner dialogue never ceases.

But now you have to monitor it carefully. It should no longer be instinctive. Train yourself to closely monitor it.

Control and harness it to set and achieve your goals, get whatever you want to get and be whatever you want to be.

Listen to a great master: "Perhaps the most powerful influence on your attitude and personality is what you say to yourself, and believe. It is not what happens to you, but how you respond internally to what happens to you, that determines your thoughts and feeling and, ultimately, your actions. By controlling your inner dialogue, or "self-talk," you can begin to assert control over every other dimension of your life." (Brian Tracy)

And again: "According to the law of expression, whatever is expressed is impressed. Whatever you say to yourself or others is impressed deeply into your subconscious mind and is likely to become a permanent part of your personality." (Brian Tracy)

From now on, make sure that whatever you say to yourself is positive.

For example, decide that whatever you HAVE to do is pleasurable and say it to yourself.

Do not dwell on your past problems.

As for your "future" problems, simply decide they do not exist, which is true!

Welcome the future with a smile, because it is your own, and you are building it right now with your positive thoughts and inner dialogue, for your future situation will be result of your present thoughts (expressed in your self-talk) in the same way as your present situation is the result of your past thoughts (expressed in your self-talk).

So, be nice to yourself, talk to yourself nicely!

Self-talk may be either quite automatic and instinctive when it is just an expression of your belief system. For example: "No, you're just wasting your time, you'll never be able to learn Chinese: you are no good at language-learning!". "You'll never, ever be able to lose weight: you have no will power!"

It can also be quite simple and deliberate. For example, even performing the most routine action is normally preceded by orders/instructions you give to yourself. For example: "Let's go!"

Self-talk can be a complex, long-winded reaction to external circumstances.

It can also be one of those never-ending verbal fights, full of "sound and fury", specially if you happen to be one of those people who don't "agree with themselves".

It can be many things. But whatever form it may take, it is YOURS, totally and entirely YOURS.

All, absolutely ALL types of self-talk can be monitored and brought under control, turned into positive, highly empowering affirmations, to change your self-image, to make you act, and consequently to transform your whole life into whatever you want it to be.

Yes, you can discipline mind chatter, harness it and make it work for you!

A.M.Sall - author, coach, success mindset philosopher

A 30+year experience - translator, teacher, traveler, musician, writer, plus crosscultural awareness, worldwide ancient spiritual traditions... Success Mindset Philosopher A.M.Sall helps you "be whatever you want to be and get whatever you want to get". http://www.health-beauty-wellness.com/hmc.htm