Quieting Your Inner Critic

Self-talk is the endless stream of thoughts that run through your head every day. These thoughts can be positive. However, too often they are negative, critical commentary on the everyday events that make up your day.
Tips On How To Have a Sunnier Outlook On Life:
Learn to recognize when your self-talk is negative and irrational. Ask yourself the following questions: Do you magnify the negative aspects of a situation and not pay attention to the positive ones? When something bad happens, do you blame yourself? Do you anticipate the worst in any situation? Do you feel that you have to be perfect, or you’ll fail? These are all common forms of irrational thinking.
Throughout your day, stop and evaluate what you’re thinking. If you find that your thoughts are negative, try to find a way to put a positive and realistic spin on them. If you are thinking “I can’t do this.” You should try, “I’ll try another approach.” This sounds simple, but it takes time and practice to master.
Treat yourself with the same respect you give to others. Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to someone else.
Source: “Silencing Your Inner Critic.” Mayo Clinic Health Quest. September 2006.
http://www.nwhealth.edu/healthyU/stayHealthy/shhh.html