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Are you hard on yourself? No wonder you struggle to make a change. But believe me, YOU can succeed at anything if you practice positive self-talk.

But where does this self-talk come from? It’s often a result of long-standing fears that have developed over various life events. In reality, we need to understand that fear is simply a feeling that surfaces in everything we attempt to do. Do you agree?

What we believe within ourselves often leads to questions like, “Will things work out if we put ourselves out there into the world?” or “Is there anything so terrible that justifies keeping ourselves small, staying within our safe little cocoon, all because we’re afraid?”

The answer is no, absolutely not!

If fear has played a significant role, we should ask ourselves, “What can I learn from this, and where do I go from here? Do I have the power to change my mindset?” The answer is a resounding yes. We should forgive ourselves for past mistakes and recognize our ability to change our thinking. In taking this courageous step, we can be proud of ourselves for trying. Today, we should love ourselves for who we are.

What I’ve come to realize is that instead of constantly chastising myself for every small doubt or complaint, it’s time to reflect on how far I’ve come and offer kind and encouraging words to myself.

Perhaps you’re speaking to yourself today in a way that mirrors how your boss or others may have spoken to you, which can be terrifying and demoralizing. But somehow, we tolerate that nasty voice that keeps putting us down.

Here’s the realization: that self-talk ‘voice’ is NOT YOU! It’s the accumulation of years and years of listening to how things SHOULD be or what society, leaders, or the community have told us. Don’t believe a word they say about your supposed incapability!

The good news is that it’s within your power to STOP listening RIGHT NOW!

You have it IN you to change ‘that voice.’ Not just to stop listening, but to start planting positive seeds today! Begin giving yourself a genuine chance to succeed. Start recognizing all those unique attributes that make you stand out above the rest.