The Voice Inside: Mastering Self-Talk
Working on Self: A Journey of Mental Strength
Self-growth doesn’t happen all at once. It’s not a lightning strike, it’s a process. And like any process, it has stages, moments that test us, shape us, and ultimately build the person we’re becoming.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reflecting on how much of that growth comes not from the outside world, but from the conversations we have inside our own minds.
The Story
On a run, I hear it: “This hurts. You’re tired. Slow down.”
Before a big meeting, it whispers: “What if you’re not ready?”
Even in quiet moments, it can surface: “Are you really enough?”
That voice inside is constant. The question isn’t whether it shows up, it’s whether we let it define us.
Dr. Michael Gervais reminds us that self-talk is the most critical performance skill we have. It can be the inner critic that tears us down, or the inner coach that lifts us forward.
The Framework: Shaping the Voice
- Notice the voice. Pause long enough to ask: What am I saying to myself right now?
- Name it. Is this my coach (encouraging) or my critic (limiting)?
- Reframe it. Shift from “I can’t do this” → “One step at a time. I’ve done hard things before.”
The Navy SEALs don’t eliminate fear, they train their minds to use fear as information, not limitation. We can train self-talk the same way.
The Bigger Picture
Words create worlds. And the words we speak to ourselves shape the reality we live in. A strong outer life is built on an inner voice that encourages progress, resilience, and possibility.
The voice inside can be your biggest obstacle, or your greatest ally. The choice is yours.
Question for you:
What words do you use to talk yourself through challenging moments?