My Academy members and I have just begun studying a new book: "The Magic of Believing" by Claude Bristol. Each Saturday, we study an aspect of the book in more detail and today we explored this quote together and reflected on our self-talk and the neuroscience behind it.
Some thought-provoking points that the book raised...
Our fear thoughts are just as creative and magnetic in attracting troubles as the constructive and positive thoughts in attracting positive results.
Your RAS (Reticular Activating System) is ALWAYS listening, and, just like cookies on the internet, they will bring about what you think about.
Similarly, your subconscious attaches to any sensory information to store it... both positive emotions and negative.
Lots of words used just there, let's recap what they mean. Your RAS is the part of your brain that takes in sensory information and proceeds to build a clearer picture around it in your conscious mind. It's the part of your brain that shows you all the cars on the road you had never noticed before, but now you've just bought one, they're everywhere. It's the part of your brain that calls your attention to an item on sale in a shop when you've just bought one online at full price. It's the algorithms for internet cookies and content on TikTok, but within your brain. We also know that your subconscious needs sensory information to help store a memory or message better (which is why manifestation and visualisation can be so powerful).
Consider times where you are alone and left to your inner monologue. What sort of things do you talk about? It doesn't matter if nobody else can hear it... YOU are always listening!
If it's about getting things done, make sure your language is accurate. Set deadlines, use definitive modal verbs and prioritise and come up with a game plan.
"When I get home, I must put the washing out before it goes dark and then I will make some food. I should make some lunch for tomorrow so I don't spend unnecessarily"
If it's about yourself, you need to speak how you would wish to be spoken to. Be factual, honest, reflective and solution-focused. Again, just because nobody else can hear it, doesn't mean that you aren't listening.
"It's been a really long day and I haven't done enough in honesty. I need to get home, work on the project for one more hour and then re-plan my day for tomorrow and make sure I complete self care." (Notice - no name calling, no blaming, no excuses).
If it's about someone else, ensure you are using language that isn't based on assumptions. Just because someone has stated they have had a bad day doesn't mean they hate their job and are quitting, but we can presuppose that they haven't had a great day and probably could do with doing something to restore their balance. Lots of people use their time with their inner monologue to story tell and make connections that were never necessarily there in the first place by making assumptions.
If you have found benefit in this blog post, you should consider joining the Believe Academy. It's an online Facebook group for adults with four livestreams per week - some more presentation focused and others group interactions. The content is based on many of the ideas I've written about here. There's also lots of benefits like shop discounts, first hand content and discounted and free events, and even an opportunity for 1:1 coaching.
Drop me an email if you'd like to know more!