What is Your Inner Voice Telling You?

Did you know that you talk to yourself all day long? It’s true—and this “self-talk” can significantly impact your mindset, confidence, and performance. Whether it’s silently berating yourself for a mistake or dismissing a well-deserved compliment, your inner dialogue shapes how you see yourself.

But here’s the good news: you can change the way you talk to yourself, and it starts with awareness.

Recognizing Negative Self-Talk

Do any of these scenarios sound familiar?

• You make a mistake and immediately tell yourself, “I’m not good enough.”

• You lose your place in choreography and think, “What an embarrassment!”

• Someone gives you a compliment, but you dismiss it because you think they “can’t possibly mean it.”

These thoughts might seem small, but over time, they become ingrained. If you keep telling yourself negative things, you’ll start to believe them—and this can hold you back from reaching your full potential.

How to Change Your Self-Talk

Ready to improve your inner dialogue? Start with these three steps:

1. Become Aware of Your Self-Talk
   Start “listening” to your inner voice. Notice when you’re being self-critical or overly harsh. Awareness is the first step to making a change.

2. Challenge Negative Messages
   When you catch yourself saying something like, “I can’t get anything right,” stop and ask: is that really true? Maybe you make mistakes sometimes, but does that mean you always fail? Reframe those thoughts into something more balanced.

3. Replace Negativity with Positivity
   When a critical thought arises, turn it around. For example, if you think, “That was terrible,” try saying, “Actually, I’m improving every day. Everyone makes mistakes, and I’m doing my best.” Positive affirmations like this can build confidence over time.

Why Self-Talk Matters

Think of yourself as your own biggest cheerleader. By replacing negativity with kindness, you’ll build a stronger sense of self-worth and belief in your abilities. It may not happen overnight, but the effort will pay off as you begin to see yourself in a more positive light.

So, the next time you catch your inner voice being critical, pause and remind yourself of this: you’re doing your best, and that’s more than enough.