The Power Of Self-Talk

It is incredibly fascinating that the ancient quote, attributed to Buddha, is so relevant in the modern age and now we have the science that proves its validity.

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‘What we think, we become.’ Buddha

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It has long been known that the mind and body are like Russian dolls, one within the other within the next. Each fitting perfectly in its complex detail, a family of support and connection. Our thoughts affect our physiology and our physiology affects our thoughts. So, to create a healthy body and a healthy mind, we must treat both equally when it comes to our holistic health. Now, think how much time a week you spend looking after your physical health. Going to the gym, other exercise, cooking healthy meals, personal hygiene, taking care of your hair and nails. Now, how much time do you spend on improving, cleansing and strengthening your mental health? Oh, err, anything between none and very little!

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One of the key elements of health and wellbeing is still being missed by society today. The outside appearance means everything and what’s on the inside is the poor cousin, the Cinderella of our being, left home to sweep and clean whilst the bling goes to the club. Ancient societies knew the truth and we have continued to wilfully ignore it. Science has proven that our consciousness, our thoughts, is the primary problem in relation to stress and stress is the highest contributor to absence from work in modern society.

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Here’s a stunning statistic, 90% of dis-ease created in our bodies is the direct result of our thinking. What we think, we become. Every thought we have is translated into chemistry.

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Let’s consider a common example. You have an important event in your future and you begin to think about it consciously. You begin to create every negative ‘what if’ scenario you can think of in relation to that event. Very quickly, the thoughts you are having are translated into body chemistry and your body begins to prepare itself for an unpleasant situation. You may feel your heart rate increase, begin to sweat, have stomach discomfort and bathroom issues, all because you had a thought. Your body responds to your thinking and has no idea that the situation which you have mentally created isn’t real. You have created anxiety and stress.

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If that sounds familiar, imagine the amount of stress you are putting on your physical body as you do this. No wonder you get poorly!

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So, what is the answer? The answer is to get in control of your conscious thinking, now. The art and science of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) teaches you how to do this in very practical detail. How to get in control of your conscious thought and therefore of your emotional content. Once you have learned and practiced conscious control, then you will have control for the rest of your life. You will know exactly how to spend time on your mental fitness as well as caring for your physical body. Your health will improve and your performance across all areas of your life will be enhanced. It’s simple enough, look after your mind as well as your body. What you think, you become.

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Where can you begin?

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Here’s a simple, daily exercise to get you started. It’s called, ‘What you focus on is what you get.’

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Your first step is to become consciously aware of your thinking. Listen to your internal voice and the words you are choosing to use. Notice how the words make you feel, both physically and emotionally. Give the feeling a name.

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Now, begin to understand the reason for you choosing those words. What specifically are you talking to yourself about?

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It’s time to change the language. Choose to describe the world to yourself using more resourceful language. Continue to modify the words until you feel a different feeling in your body. Notice how your body rapidly responds to your new thinking. Notice how you feel emotionally now. Give the feeling a name.

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Make this a habit: Notice, Understand, Modify

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Your unconscious mind installs habits very quickly, the more conscious practice you engage in, the more unconscious your controlled response becomes. After a short period of time, what you focus on will become what you get, so focus on what you want.

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