8 Dangers of Negative Self-Talk

Words are powerful. The things you say matter and not just what you say out loud. It’s the words you say to yourself that often have the greatest impact on how you see yourself and the world around you.

I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t contend with negative self-talk on at least some level. And when it comes to making a change or doing something different, that negative thinking goes into overdrive.

Leaving negative self-talk unchecked is risky business. In my work and personal life, I see a repeating pattern of 8 specific dangers of negative self-talk:

Lack of confidence

Unchecked negative self-talk clouds your ability to see clearly. You view yourself only through a negative lens and the end result is lower self-confidence. This lack of confidence has a ripple effect in every area of your life, leaving you feeling less than and…

Playing small, shrinking and hiding

I don’t have to know your story to know there is greatness in you. I believe YOU are a living, breathing embodiment of the Divine. Therefore, playing small was never meant for you. Yet, when your negative thoughts are left unchecked you end shrinking and hiding your light. Nobody wins when that happens. 

Silencing your voice

As a woman, you are trained to believe your words don’t matter. Yet the lack of female voices at the table IS harming the world. We need to hear what you have to say but if you let negative thinking win then your ideas go unheard and your impact is diminished as a result. 

Lack of connection with others

Negative self-talk will convince you to avoid being vulnerable with others. This creates surface level relationships. There is no real heart connection in your relationships. This might feel like it works, especially if you are an introvert but in the end, it leaves you quite lonely. 

Predictability and boredom

When negative thoughts are your default you always play it safe. You stay inside your comfort zone where everything is predictable. The problem is that predictability is also boring. It might feel good to have things be predictable but there is no excitement and what’s life without a little bit of excitement.

Living in fear

Fear is a paralyzing emotion. It keeps you stuck, unable to move forward with anything. This often leads to a feeling of despair and hopelessness putting you at risk for depression. Let negative self-talk run uncontrolled in your mind and fear becomes the filter through which you live your life. And that can lead to…

Increased anxiety

Negative self-talk will create problems where no problems actually exist. And when faced with stressful situations, you can feel helpless and unable to cope. This leads to less than optimal outcomes, which turns around and creates more stress for you. And the dangerous loop plays out again keeping you exactly where you have always been.

Regret at the end of your life

Mark Twain famously said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the ones you did do.” Leave your negative self-talk unchecked and twenty years from now you’ll be looking back with regret wishing you had done it when you could.

The choice is yours. You can leave your negative self-talk unchecked, believing you have no choice but to live with it. Or you can recognize the power you have to change those thoughts.

I spent years letting my negative self-talk run the show of my life. I’ve experienced each of these dangers on some level at one time or another in my life. Even regret, because though I am a long way from the end of my days I do have regrets about missed opportunities.

Helping you to face these dangers and avoid the long-term ramifications of them is the passion of my work. I’ve developed several tools and strategies for helping you to overcome that negativity. Download this FREE resource and take that first step towards avoiding the dangers of negative self-talk.

Here’s to you rising into your greatness.

From my heart to yours,

P.S: If you are DONE feeling overwhelmed by your negative thoughts and you’re FINALLY ready to do something about it let’s talk. Schedule a complimentary call with me today. On this call, we’ll look at exactly what’s been standing in your way and discuss how to move you from where you are to where you want to be. Schedule your free call today.