Overcoming Negative Self-Talk: Techniques for Building Self-Confidence

Self-confidence is essential for self-improvement. A lack of confidence can make us feel discouraged, even when our performance is great. We end up believing we're bad, when all we need is to learn how to change our negative self-talk.


In this article, I'll teach you how to use some common techniques that can help you overcome negative self-talk and build your confidence.

STEP 1: Practice Positive Self-Talk

We tend to talk about ourselves negatively more than we speak positively about ourselves. So, before you start trying to think more positively, you need to be more mindful of how you talk to yourself.

Use an affirmation journal to write down your thoughts. When you have a thought like, "I suck" or "My performance stinks", make a note of it. If you've already written a list of negative self-talk, make another note of it as well. Then, write down what you want to affirm about yourself instead, like, "I am a fantastic writer".

STEP 2: Write It Down, Repeat It

This is one of the most powerful techniques. Whenever you catch yourself talking negatively about yourself, stop immediately, and immediately write down what you just said.

It might be hard to force yourself to write, but it will give you the chance to read it out loud or silently. If you have an app or smart phone, you can use it as a recording device so you don't forget anything you wrote down.

Repeat this affirmation for at least three times. By using this technique, you'll be able to remember your original affirmations more easily than ever before.

STEP 3: Rehearse It

Once you've practiced positive affirmations, start repeating them over and over again. You can do this by either saying the affirmation out loud or even by speaking it silently to yourself.

Do this every single day for at least 30 minutes. This should give you a boost of self-confidence and remind you how awesome you really are.