The Importance of Positive Self Talk

Whew! That was tough! Let me explain…Matt and I agreed that the only fair way to decide who would get to write the blog each week would be to arm wrestle for it. It took me a little bit longer than it should have, but I finally pinned him and won the right to write this week. Those of you doubting that my puny little arms could possibly be a match for Matt’s bulging biceps, well, I will refer you to Matt’s college roommates. They’ll back me up.

On to the blog topic, self talk. No, not the kind of self talk that would involve people hurriedly crossing the street as you approached. I’m referring to the constant stream of commentary that we all have running through our heads. You do all have that, too, right? Right?!

It’s a funny thing, psychology. What is it that causes us to never be quite satisfied with who we are or what we’ve done? This is true at all levels. I’ve been fortunate enough to have coached international level athletes and to have been on the pool deck at NCAA Championships with amazing swimmers. Even at that level, a swimmer will come back from a medal winning swim and not be completely satisfied. There is always something that could have been done better, differently. That’s not a bad thing, really. It’s what keeps competitive athletes hungry, striving.

On the other end of the spectrum, I see an aspect of this dissatisfaction at the bootcamp that I assist with. At the end of each session, we do reassessments with measurements and weight. I can’t tell you how many times I hear people who have improved their fitness and strength tremendously say “I was hoping that would be lower”. Defining their success by numbers on a scale or tape measure.

We all do this to some extent. This is where I get back to the self talk. That person in our head who jabbers at us all day long. Let me tell you a little something about that person. He/she is a jerk! (Yes, I know that he/she is you. No, I’m not calling you a jerk. Just keep reading, I’m going somewhere with this, I promise). Think about it. The things you say to yourself in your head…calling you a heinous blow pig (true story! My head person has called me this on a few particularly heated occasions), telling you that you’re stupid, etc. That’s verbal abuse people! You would never say these things to your best friend, would you? (If you answered “yes”, then…hmm, you scare me a little!). No, you wouldn’t say these things to anybody else. Yet, who spends more time with you than yourself? Who knows you in and out, and can support you through anything. Yourself, exactly. So, doesn’t it make sense that we should be as nice to ourselves as we would be to any of our friends?

So, the next time that you look in the mirror and the litany of insults begins, make a conscious effort to stop it cold. Take a good look at yourself, and find something to compliment. Damn, look at those legs! Do you know what those legs can do? They can run five kilometres, baby! Those arms? They did 15 push-ups just the other day! Those gnarly looking toes? Hmm…can’t help you there, how do you find something good to say about toes? They keep you from tipping over?

Let’s make a pact, shall we? Let’s try to convert that jerk in our head into our own best friend. After all, we are spending the rest of our lives with this person, we might as well try to have a good relationship with him/her.

Kim Wood is the owner of Chatham’s newest running store, Up and Running. Up and Running is located at 138 King Street West in Downtown Chatham. For more information visit www.getupandrun.com. You can also find Kim and Up and Running on Facebook at www.facebook.com/getupandrun and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/upandrunningck.

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