Everyone has an inner voice and hears positive or negative self-talk. Your self-talk might remind you to watch out for cars when crossing the street, or it might remind you to be careful when doing something new. Or your inner voice could be saying that you are a winner and that you will have a good day.

There is one important thing to remember about your inner voice: You control the on/off switch. Nobody else can control it.

Now here is where it gets interesting. If you are at the controls of your self-talk, will you let in positive thoughts or negative thoughts? Has your inner voice ever said to you: I cant do that, or Ill never be able to get good at? These are negative messages your inner voice is giving you. Since you are in control of your self-talk, why not create positive messages?

Positive self-talk is an important key to your success. Replace the negative messages with I will learn to and I can do this. Or, Im getting better and better at this. Remember, everyone talks to themselves.

You can let in either negative or positive self-talk. Choose positive self-talk for a more successful life. You are a winner! Tell yourself that every day with your positive inner voice messages.

Suggestions for implementation: 1. Count the number of positive and negative self-talk messages you give yourself for the next two days. Is your self-talk more positive or negative?

2. Determine if there is a recurring theme in your messages. What lessons can you learn from this exercise?

Questions for discussion: 1. Do you know someone who is always beating themselves up? 2. What inner voice messages do you think successful people use? 3. How do you think they deal with negative inner voice messages?

#

Please visit www.TeachingMoments.com for more life skills ideas.

FREE Reprints We want to reach as many children as possible with these positive life skills ideas. Please cut and paste them into your blog, newsletter, emails, magazine, egroups, Web site or newspaper. A byline with our Web address is requested.

Contact: Laura Bishop

Accent On Success

St Louis, MO, USA

314-664-6110

Laura@TeachingMoments.com