Mental Strength Column in DER YBBSTALER: “The Inner Dialogue”.
Since November 2022, I have been writing a column about mental strength in the newspaper “Der Ybbstaler”.
In the following I publish the text of the first column of 09.02.2023:
Edition 09.02.2023
Welcome to the mental toughness column. Here you will find tips and tricks to build their mental strength to better cope with the challenges in their daily lives and “recharge their batteries”.
Today we dedicate ourselves to our inner voice and also to how we speak to ourselves.
Everyone has an inner voice. We all talk to ourselves. Many are not aware of this inner voice. If you are curious and want to become aware of your inner voice, I have this exercise for you:
Sit down once in a quiet place where they are undisturbed. Close your eyes and watch your breath. You don’t need to do anything, just watch your breath. You do that for a few minutes.
What did you perceive? Have you noticed their inner voice telling them what still needs to be done around the house or what still needs to be shopped for, etc.? This is quite normal – everyone has this inner voice. What does it have to do with mental strength?
It is the voice that gives you courage or sows doubt. In many cases, however, this inner voice is not nice, to say the least. Most of the time, we talk to ourselves in ways we would not accept if others talked to us that way. When we get angry with ourselves, a “I’m such an idiot” may be said or thought. The stupid thing is that the subconscious takes these statements seriously. In this case, it lowers self-confidence and self-esteem in the long run.
Often, however, it is seemingly more innocuous statements that build up obstacles within us.
Feel the difference between the two sentences:
“I can’t do it” and “I can’t do it yet.” – do you notice how much power there is in the word “yet”? While the first sentence expresses finality, the word “yet” conveys that you can still learn this.
Another powerful word is the word “maybe.” Feel the difference between “I’ll never make it!” and “I can’t make it yet, but maybe I’ll dare soon!”
As another tip for the inner dialogue, I dedicate myself to the word “must”.
The word “must” sets a trap for us. Here we put ourselves in a victim position, which does no good. Basically, we don’t have to do anything – we decide to do something or not. Instead of “I must…:” use a formulation such as “I decide for…”. In this way, they signal to themselves and their subconscious that they are shaping their lives themselves and are not the plaything of external circumstances. Above all, the aspect of shaping one’s own life gives energy to develop mental strength. Over the next few days, pay attention to how they talk to and about themselves. Be sure to use a respectful tone toward them. You are unique and deserve it!
