WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU TALK TO YOURSELF (an excerpt)

By Shad Helmstetter, Ph. D

An attitude we might like to change need not be an attitude that is calamitous or extreme- it may be a problem which is quite simple, an attitude which, if fine tuned just a little, could make some small part of our daily lives work better.

The attitudes which you have about yourself create one additional important result: the attitudes you have about yourself determines the attitudes you will have about everything else around you. So if you want to change the way you feel about anything else, you have to start first with the attitudes you have about yourself.

Self-Talk For Taking Responsibility For Yourself

I take full responsibility for everything about me - even the thoughts that I think. I am in control of the vast resources of my own mind. I alone am responsible for what I do and what I tell myself about me. No one can share this responsibility with me.

I also allow others to accept their responsibilities for themselves and I do not try to accept their responsibilities for them.

I enjoy being responsible. It puts me in charge of being me - and that's a challenge I enjoy.

I allow no one else, at any time, to assume control or responsibility over my life or over anything that I do. My responsibility to others is an extension of my own responsibility of myself.

I choose to leave nothing about me up to chance. when it comes to me - and anything in my lift - I choose to CHOOSE!

My choices are mine alone to make for myself I do not, at any time, allow anyone else to make my choices for me. And I accept full responsibility for every choice and decision I make.

I always meet all of the obligations which I accept. And I accept no obligations which I will not meet.

I am trustworthy I can be counted on. I have accepted winning responsibility for myself and I always live up to the responsibilities I accept.

There is no "they" on whom I lay the blame, or with whom I share my own personal responsibilities. I have learned the great secret of mastering my own destiny I have learned that "they" is "me!"

I have no need to make excuses and no one needs to carry my responsibility for me. I gladly carry my own weight - and I carry it well.

Self-Talk For Building Self-Esteem

I really am very special. I like who I am and I feel good about myself.

Although I always work to improve my self and I get better every day I like who Jam today And tomorrow, when I 'm even better, I'll like myself then, too!

It's true that there really is no one else like me in the entire world, There never was another me before, and there will never be another me again.

I am unique -from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. In some ways I may look and act and sound like some others - but I am not them. I am me.

I wanted to be somebody - and now I know I am. I would rather be me than anyone else in the world.

I like how I feel and I like how I think and I like how I do things. I approve of me and I approve of who I am.

© 1999 Mental Health Association in Hendricks County  All Rights Reserved