Changing Your Mind

Positive (or negative) self-talk can be very powerful. If you go into an exam, thinking “I can do this. I’m totally prepared. I’m going to ace this thing!” you’re far more likely to be successful than if you go in, worrying “I’m not ready for this. I’m going to fail!”

In addition to affecting your academic performance, self-talk influences your athletic performance, your ability to overcome personal crises, and your eating and physical activity behaviors.
Some tips:
1. Listen to your thoughts.
2. Decide if your thoughts help or hurt your progress.
3. STOP your negative thoughts.
4. Re-word your negative thoughts to make them into positive messages. Check out the guidelines and examples below:

Consider these guidelines...
• Think about successful changes you’ve already made. Imagine good results with changes you plan on making.
• Say what you are doing now. Use the present tense.
• Make it as positive as you can. Be specific.
• Forget what should be.
• Make it personal.