Issue: 1

January 7, 2010

A New Year of Possibilities on the Horizon

Dear Subscriber,

Rewire Your Brain for Positive Self-Talk

Do you consider yourself to be a positive person? Probably you are most of the time, but there might just be one person to whom you are awfully unkind and impatient-yourself.

Most of us, at one time or another, get in the habit of negative self-talk, the constant internal dialog in which you keep telling yourself that you just don't measure up in some way. "I'm just no good at that," you might say to yourself. Or that inner voice might say something like, "What's the point in trying to lose weight? I always end up cheating on my diet." The New Year season is a good time to start listening closely to your internal dialog to make sure that it does not undermine your New Year's resolutions.

Fortunately, you can change negative self-talk because it is nothing more than a brain habit. Like any other habit, this thought pattern gets wired into your brain through repetition. Just as we easily return to other bad habits, such as smoking or overeating, our brains immediately process the same old negative self-talk when we are faced with challenging situations.

You can change the habit of self talk because your brain possesses an ability known as neuroplasticity. This term refers to the brain's ability to rewire itself to learn new things or to adapt to new situations. Research has shown that this ability is maintained throughout life, for young and old alike. When you first developed the habit of negative self-talk, you essentially etched a certain way of thinking about yourself into your own brain. Fortunately, you can also use neuroplasticity to wire a new way of thinking into your brain.

Psychologists often say that the best way to end a bad habit is to replace it with a positive one. So why not replace that negative self-talk with some positive self-talk? The next time you face a difficulty, really try to listen to what's going on inside. Do you beat yourself up or blame yourself for things that are beyond your control? Do you keep telling yourself you will fail and then find out that this is a self-fulfilling prophesy?  If so, try turning these things on their head, replacing them with positive self-talk. As soon as you hear that inner voice telling yourself something negative, quickly tell yourself the exact opposite. If your brain says, "I can't do it," immediately say to yourself, "Yes, I can do it!"

The important thing is to watch your mind carefully. Sometimes, negative self-talk is so habitual that you may not realize what you are doing to undermine yourself. But, if you chose 100% positivity, soon that will be exactly what you see in many areas of your life.

Ilchi Inspirations

Affirmations are powerful statements used to bring about positive change.  They are food that nourishes the mind, and when fed properly, the mind can be a powerful thing. Speaking positive affirmations aloud each morning can clarify your purpose throughout the day and help you to achieve your goals.

Just like a computer, your brain acts as an operating system through which you process information. It contains the system of beliefs and preconceptions through which you interact with the world. Sometimes these beliefs are very helpful but other times, they are programmed in a way that does not support your intentions for your life.

Whatever you want to do in life, you must truly believe that it is possible, regardless of any obstacles you face. The first action toward creating your vision takes place among the synapses of your brain, when you form a thought about who you are and what you can become. In order for you to manifest your intentions in life, they must be compatible with your underlying beliefs about yourself.

To reprogram your brain to manifest your dreams, begin the day with affirmations that can remind you of your goal and motivate you towards action.  Use only positive phrases, state them out loud in the present tense, and FEEL the emotion around the words.  For example, you might say, "I am happy and healthy today," or "I am working at my perfect job," or "I am intuitively guided and highly blessed."

Plan to work with a specific affirmation for 21-days to change a formerly ingrained habit or belief that no longer serves you. Write your affirmations on cards to carry with you, or post them around your living or work environment. Whenever you feel like giving up, just repeat your affirmation with absolute conviction, and soon your doubts will fade away.

Ilchi Lee

Editor's Pick

Sometimes when we set a goal or make a resolution, we need a little help in keeping it. When you write down your goal and clearly keep track of your daily progress, you hold yourself accountable for it much more easily.

The Twenty-one Day Journal: A Journey of Personal Growth was designed to do just that. It's not just a simple but beautiful lined journal. It guides you in setting and keeping your goals. It has several pages for each day that give you specific questions to answer about your progress, and help keep you honest with yourself.

To encourage you, inspirational messages from Brain Education originator Ilchi Lee can be found on almost every page. These messages guide you to look at yourself and your life more deeply, and to overcome your limitations.

But why is the journal for 21 days? Many self-growth experts, including Ilchi Lee, say that you need at least 21 days to change a habit. It takes that long to rewire your neural pathways and ingrain an action or thought in your brain. Of course, your life's growth does not end at 21 days. By repeating 21-day journeys with the same or with new goals, you can truly create the life you desire.

Click here to download a sneak preview -->

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