We all have conversations going on inside our heads and, no, we are not crazy. Well, at least I’m not! We all hear competing voices. One is a negative critic, and the other is a positive coach. It is called self-talk, and which voice we listen to is a matter of choice. Like our beliefs and attitudes, our thinking can be a powerful ally or debilitating enemy. How we think affects how we feel, and how we feel affects how we perform. We must learn not to chase bad thoughts.
Tiger Woods was arguably the greatest golfer to play the game, dominating his competition seemingly with ease – that is until the bottom fell out of his personal life. Since that time, he has struggled to be competitive. The cool, calm demeanor we often saw has been replaced by frustration and anger. He hasn’t lost his ability to play golf, he has lost his mental control…the very thing that gave him his competitive edge. I love the comment by legendary golfer Bobby Jones who said, “Competitive golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course: the space between your ears.” What you are thinking, what shape your mind is in, makes all the difference in the world.
The same is true with effort required to lose weight and maintain the lifestyle necessary to sustain the loss. Do you listen to the positive coach instead of the negative critic in your own mind? Which voice do you hear? Which is louder, the negative critic or the positive coach? You can choose to listen to the voice that offers and reinforces positive thought. It has been said that thoughts become words. Words become actions. Actions become habits. Habits become character. Character becomes your destiny. It is all a matter of mental training. How much time are you spending developing your mental strength?
By Diane Deon October 23, 2017
I love your blogs Barb, and I have used several of them as programs and discussion starters. I will be using this one tomorrow night. One of my favorites is Real People……Can Change Habits. Thank You!
By Dennis Bauer October 18, 2017
We also get a lot of miles from the positive affirmations we give and receive to each other. “Way to go! You are amazing!” Lots of power there!
By Susan Gaynor October 17, 2017
Great blog! We just discussed the use of positive affirmations at our last meeting. Our pledge is a great one! Thanks for the reminder the ignore those negative voices!
By Carolyn Campbell October 16, 2017
loved this! very inspirational!
By Carol Crane October 16, 2017
Life is what YOU make it! The choice to listen to the right voice is up to you and, even though it may be difficult sometimes to decipher the right voice, you will win in the end! Life IS what YOU make it!
By Aurora October 16, 2017
Why don’t you have a print button? Would like to print for my group without all the extra stuff that wastes paper and ink
By Barb Cady October 16, 2017
We will try to develop that feature for you. For now, you can copy and paste the article into your word processing program by left clicking dnd holding down the mouse button at the beginning of the article and dragging the pointer through the copy to highlight it and then “press control C”. Open your word processing program place the mouse in the blank document and press “control V”. There will be no extranious words or images… just the text. Then you can print as usual. Thanks for your suggestion.
By Beverly Ramsdell October 19, 2017
I just cut and paste the article into a word doc, I have to do that as we have a hearing impaired member.
By Marilyn Housley October 16, 2017
The decision to lose weight starts in your mind.
By Alison Empey September 28, 2020
Oh…..I’m putting that saying on my vision board. Thanks for the reminder Marilyn.
By Mary Fischer October 16, 2017
I love this Barb! I struggle to do this every day. Thanks for the great post. They are all good.
By Charlotte Perkins October 16, 2017
Whether you think you can, or can’t, you are right…
By Freda Blair October 16, 2017
Barbara Cady
I liked what you said about coaches, great information