by 
Our minds can say some awful and destructive things to us. Some common examples of negative self-talk include:
- I’m not good enough.
- I mess up everything I touch.
- I’m a burden to society.
- I’m a failure.
- There is something wrong with me.
These thoughts most likely began in childhood. They were developed based upon things that others told us, how others treated us, and the life experiences that we had.
Additionally, these thoughts became powerful because we rehearsed them daily for years. Over the course of time, these thoughts became our truth.
We know that our subconscious mind will manifest and bring into action those things that we say to ourselves. We will subconsciously sabotage any good thing that comes our way if we have pervasive negative thoughts about ourselves and our existence. Consequently, our negative thinking is reinforced.
Positive thinking turns this whole process in a new direction. There are several ways to engage in positive thinking.
- Deconstruct the negative thoughts. Challenge the thoughts. Identify fallacies in them and notice examples where they are not true.
- Reframe the negative thoughts into positive, alternative thoughts.
- Rehearse positive and encouraging thoughts. Say affirmations every morning and every evening. The brain is most susceptible to the power of suggestion when it is close to sleep (waking up or falling asleep). However, don’t limit your affirmations to morning and night–say them all day long.
Our negative thoughts became powerful when we gave them our attention and time. Positive thoughts can also become powerful when they get the time and attention — when we consciously direct our thinking toward the positive.
We choose where we put our attention. At first, it will feel difficult since the positive thoughts are not yet in “automatic.” However, with repetition, they will become more accessible to us, and they will become automatic.