Time to Interrupt Yourself – Self Talk

You Talkin to Me?

It’s a Good Time to Interrupt Yourself!

We all have an inner critic. At times, this little voice can be helpful and keep us motivated toward goals—like when it reminds us that what we’re about to eat isn’t healthy or what we’re about to do may not be wise. However, this voice can often be more harmful than helpful, particularly when it gets into excessive negativity. This negative self-talk can bring us down reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

We all need to make a renewed commitment to quit the negative self-talk. Just like any toxic bad habit, you can decide to stop this behavior. It may take time, perseverance, attention, and strength to quit negative self-talk completely because for many of us it has become so deeply ingrained, it is almost second nature. Once you are aware that you are doing it, understand that you will need to keep interrupting yourself and your thoughts to stop it altogether. Becoming aware of this behavior is the key to quitting.

When we take control of our thoughts and our words, we take back our life! I challenge you to create a list of daily affirmations to speak to your SELF…words to live by. This exercise is an important step in taking control of our thoughts and subsequently our words. It is time to practice speaking power and truth back into our lives by writing daily affirmations.

First, start with any negative thoughts or self-talk that dominate or frequent your thinking. List any lies that you are believing. What negative truths weigh you down and hinder you from living your best life? If our thoughts, self-talk, or words do not align with God’s truth, we need to identify them.

Speaking these affirmations daily will help you will begin to take control of your life by getting control of your tongue.

How Do You Copy?

Give yourself a radio check. Sometimes when you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts in your mind, simply saying them aloud can help. Telling a trusted friend what you’re thinking about can often lead to a good laugh and shine a light on how ridiculous some of our negative self-talk can be. Other times, it can at least bring support or what we know as “mutual aid.”

Name the Incident

Just like we name a working incident, give a name to your feelings, known as affect labeling, which can also help reduce the intensity of those emotions. Even saying some negative self-talk phrases around under your breath can remind you how unreasonable and unrealistic they sound. This will remind you to give yourself a break.

When to Seek Professional Help

There comes a point when negative self talk over runs your mind too much. These thoughts start to negatively impact your daily life, leading to constant feelings of depression or anxiety. When this happens, it’s time to seek professional help. Mental health professionals can provide tailored strategies and support you through these challenging thought patterns.

Sam DiGiovanna is a 40-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as Fire Chief at the Monrovia Fire Department, and currently serves as Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale. He also is Associate Director for the California Training Officers Association and a consultant for www.Lexipol.com