The Science of Self Talk: How to Increase Your Emotional Intelligence and Stop Getting in Your Own Way: Positive Psychology Coaching Series, Book 18

Talking to ourselves – and learning to listen

We all speak to ourselves on a daily basis. Whether it’s out loud or an internal (or infernal) commentary, we all practice self-talk, and how we speak to ourselves can have a significant effect on our emotions and subsequent actions.

Some people’s self-talk is mostly about the future while, for others, it’s an internal dialogue about the past. Some self-talk is positive and upbeat, while other self-talk is harsh, critical, or defeatist. Self-talk can focus on other people, but, more often than not, it is about ourselves – and is often negative.

If you listen carefully, you’ll notice that your inner conversation reflects thoughts and emotions. Self-talk isn’t random. It exhibits patterns that repeat themselves. And everyone has their own characteristic self-talk that is uniquely theirs.

In The Science of Self Talk, mindfulness expert Ian Tuhovsky explains how we can rewrite the script when it comes to our internal communication. Through a series of simple exercises for use in daily life, you can understand your own self-talk in order to change the conversation.

This unique book covers:

Constructive self-talk and dysfunctional self-talk – and knowing the differenceThe impact of negative self-talkLearned helplessnessPositive self-talk – challenge or threat?The Pareto Principle which says that, for many events, roughly 80 percent of the effects come from 20 percent of the causesCreating the right circumstances for motivationGetting to know yourselfLoving yourself – emotional intelligenceTurning down the volume on your self-talk

Self-talk is a little like turning on the director’s commentary on a movie. You can simply watch the movie, or you can add in commentary about what’s happening in it – this is, in a nutshell, what most of us do in our daily lives. The Science of Self Talk can help you to rewrite the script of your movie and improve the way that you – and others – see yourself.