Goal Achievement Strategies

The Upside of Trash Talk

The upside of trash talk?

Zip. Zero. Nada.

Then why do so many of us routinely engage in it?

Let’s have a look at the underbelly of this beast and find out.

Trash talk is a form of boast or disparaging insult commonly heard in competitive situations. We see it on constant display in sports, business and politics.

It’s deliberately used to intimidate and demoralize the opposition…to get into their head and to negatively impact their performance.

And in the spirit of calling a spade a spade…it’s a bottom feeder strategy.

I’m concerned however with a different form of trash talk — the self-induced, anxiety creating kind that negatively impacts your self-esteem, your relationships and your results.

It sounds like this…

This will never work.

I’m afraid.

I don’t know how.

I’ve never done this before.

I don’t have the resources.

It’s too complicated.

I don’t deserve this.

I’ll never figure it out.

It’s too hard.

Nothing ever goes right for me.

Insert yours here___________________________.

Bonus: How to Unleash a Performance Explosion!

Perhaps the biggest problem and recurring nightmare that people have is that they spend their days trash talking themselves into submission.

By doing so, they undermine opportunity, minimize their impact and throw themselves under the proverbial bus. Far too many have turned personal denigration into an art form.

The whole “sticks and stones” canard is really dangerous to your mental health and well-being.

When a stone gives you a bruise, it’s entirely possible you will completely heal.

But when a torrent of words…especially a self-instigated one undermines your view of what’s possible, you might never recover.

It’s my earnest desire to drive home the point that we must pay very careful attention to how we talk to ourselves. what we think, say and write as proper language, well-spoken or written will open more doors and accelerate your results faster than a fancy college degree.

I would advise you to never ever underestimate the power of words…as words can move us from laughter to tears and back again in a matter of seconds.

Words can create life-long loving relationships and destroy them just as surely.

Words can start wars and restore the peace, praise the worthy and condemn the evil.

Words can console the grieving, reassure the doubting, fortify the fearful, and laud the victor.

Words can position us for greatness or negate any progress before we even take action.

Words can be our greatest weapon of destruction or mass production.

Words are all we have.

Be impeccable with your language…especially with yourself.

Speak with integrity. Speak lovingly. Speak respectfully.

And, precisely because victory or failure begins in the mind is reason enough as to why you need to watch your language.

The most important element in your strategy to win the battle for your mind and productivity is your own psychology.

Why? Because…you cannot change your behavior nor improve your results until and unless you change how you talk and think about yourself.

I’ll leave you with my favorite self-talk affirmation…I will lead, not follow. I will believe not, doubt. I will create, not destroy.

Write it down, repeat it and tattoo it to your forehead…I will lead, not follow. I will believe not, doubt. I will create, not destroy.

Words matter. They can open doors, light a way, make a difference…and lead you to greatness.

Everything Counts!

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