Improving self-talk

 Improving self-talk

I encourage readers to try the simple mind experiment of closing their eyes for 30 seconds and trying to think of nothing. Most readers will become very aware that they cannot rid themselves of self-talk.

Negative self-talk

My view is that people who talk to themselves are not crazy. It is what they choose to keep telling themselves that determines sanity or insanity. Here self-talk refers to how people talk to themselves before, during and after difficult situations. Often clients use negative self-talk that has the effect of creating or worsening self-defeating feelings, physical reactions and actions. Characteristics of negative self-talk include self-disparage ment, stating that matters may get either worse or out of control, and focusing on past setbacks. Box 19.1 provides an illustration of a client who interferes with her effectiveness by using negative self-talk.

Coping self-talk

Coping self-talk contrasts with negative self-talk. Whereas negative self-talk impedes clients communicating and acting appropriately, coping self-talk enhances the likelihood of their performing well. Coping self-talk can be contrasted with mastery self-talk. Coping self talk is about clients doing as well as they reasonably can rather than seeking the unrealistically high standards of mastery or following are three key dimensions of coping self-talk. perfection.