B ME Bites 15: The Impact of Language: How Self-Talk Shapes Reality

Was this forwarded to you? Sign up here as a subscriber and get a FREE book as a welcome gift!

This week’s B ME Bites Trivia Question:

Welcome to edition #15 of B ME Bites! This week's edition explores the importance of language and how the way you speak to yourself can shape your reality and either help or hinder you to achieve your goals.

For this edition, you can choose your own adventure to proceed!:

🎙️ If you prefer to listen, you can listen on your preferred platform.

📺 If you prefer to watch, you can watch on YouTube:

If you prefer to read, proceed from here! 👇

Featured Topic: The Impact of Language: How Self-Talk Shapes Reality

Language is a powerful tool that shapes your perception and reality. The way you speak to yourself can either lift you up or hold you back. Understanding the impact of language on your self-perception and behaviour can help you make meaningful changes and reach your full potential.

The Weight of Labels

Labels are often unconsciously attached to your identity. (If you missed the edition about identity, you can find it in edition #8.) Phrases like "the fat one in the family" or "the dumb one" can be deeply ingrained, even if said as a joke and laughed off. Negative labels are limiting beliefs that hinder your growth and potential. Your brain is always listening to internal and external dialogue. It doesn’t understand context and can’t distinguish between serious statements and supposed jokes. Removing your negative labels is essential for breaking free from self-imposed limitations.

The Role of Language

Language plays a crucial role in shaping your thoughts and actions. For instance, consider the phrase "lose weight." When you lose your keys, your natural reaction is to search for them frantically. Similarly, saying "lose weight" subconsciously implies that it might be found again. Instead, using the term "release weight" aligns with the goal of letting it go permanently.

Another example is the word "should." Telling yourself, "I should have gone to the gym" or "I should have eaten better" often results in feelings of guilt and inadequacy, leading to a downward spiral. Replacing "should" with "could" creates a more empowering mindset. Saying "I could have eaten better today, and tomorrow I will do better" promotes a positive and proactive approach.

The word "but" is another common term that can inadvertently cause harm. It negates everything said before it. For instance, "You did a great job on the article, but your grammar is really bad" diminishes the positive feedback. Removing "but" from regular vocabulary shifts the focus and fosters more constructive communication. This change also enhances awareness of how language affects interactions with yourself and others.

Additionally, your brain doesn’t process negatives effectively. When told, "Don't think about a pink elephant with purple polka dots on rollerskates," what do you do? Your immediate reaction is to conjure the vision in your mind. Your brain registers the action rather than the negation. To effect change, it’s important to always frame statements positively. Rather than what you WON’T be doing, ask yourself what you WILL do instead. For example, instead of saying, "I won't eat junk food," say, "I will eat healthy food."

To Summarise

The language you use when you talk to yourself is a powerful influence on your behaviour and mindset. By consciously choosing positive, empowering language, it’s possible to remove limiting beliefs and foster a more constructive and goal-oriented outlook.

How will you change your self-talk to better support your goals and aspirations?

Reader Spotlight

Thank you to Wendy who left the following review after reading “Reclaim Your Inner Goddess: 7 Steps to Unlocking Your Inner Goddess Through the Power of the Chakras”:

You can find out more about this book here.

Weekly Challenge

Your mission for this week, if you choose to accept it, is to do the following:

For the next seven days, focus on how you speak to yourself and others. Each day, make a conscious effort to:

1. Identify and Remove Negative Labels: Write down any negative labels you catch yourself using. Replace them with positive or neutral alternatives. For example, change "I'm so clumsy" to "I'm learning to be more mindful of my actions."

2. Replace "Should" with "Could": Every time you notice yourself saying "should," replace it with "could" and reframe the statement in a positive light. Instead of saying, "I should have gone to the gym," say, "I could have gone to the gym, and I'll plan to go tomorrow."

3. Eliminate "But": Practice speaking without using "but." If you catch yourself using it, rephrase the sentence. For instance, instead of "I want to eat healthy, but I love junk food," say, "I want to eat healthy, and I am finding new healthy foods I enjoy."

4. Use Positive Statements: Whenever you catch yourself thinking or speaking negatively, reframe it positively. Instead of "I won't eat junk food," say, "I will choose healthy foods."

Track your progress in a journal or notes app. At the end of the week, reflect on how these changes in language have impacted your mindset and actions. Share your experiences and any challenges faced by replying to this email if you feel called to do so.

How will you reshape your language to better support your goals this week?

If you need some help, feel free to hit reply - let’s help you get started if you’re stuck!

B ME Bites is deliberately sent on a Friday morning (Aussie time) so that where ever you are in the world, you have the weekend to give yourself the gift of implementing a small change towards a better you. What will that small change be? Is there a change that you have been trying to make and haven’t yet succeeded? Give it another go, applying the above - you can do it!

Resource Roundup

Here’s a great short video from John Assaraf on the subject:

The beautiful Louise Hay is also a great resource on this subject:

You can check out Louise Hay’s famous book “You Can Heal Your Life” on Amazon here.

Below is a resource list that has been created with you in mind. Whenever something new that could be helpful is discovered, it’s added to the list, so check it out from time to time. If you’re strapped for time, once you open the page below, click on Resource List in the top menu, then click on the “Health Tools” link for a list of items that could be helpful on your path to a better you.

The answer to this week’s trivia question is:

Thanks for reading and the hope is that you found something helpful inside this issue. If you did, remember to share it with others whom could also find it helpful, using this link: https://bmebites.beehiiv.com

How did you like the content in this newsletter?

Hit reply and answer either 1,2 or 3, and, if the answer is 2 or 3, give the deets on what would make it a 1 for you!:

1. Loved it!

2. It was OK

3. Meh!

If you have an inspiring story, or a helpful tip or strategy to share, or if there is something specific you would like covered, please fill out the form below so that it can be shared with the community. Please note that this is a subscriber survey, so you may have to subscribe first (hint, hint…… 😉) : https://bmebites.beehiiv.com/forms/8d0dfdd1-4290-4e40-bff9-1f61b812c661

Until next week, keep taking one S.T.E.P.S step at a time! (If you missed the issue explaining The S.T.E.P.S Formula, you can check that out here)

Warm regards,

Shari Ware Chief Encouragement Officer at B ME Bites

PS - Here’s a little Friday funny for you!

PPS - B ME Bites is created using the platform Beehiiv. Beehiiv was built by the creators of Morning Brew, so it’s a newsletter platform built by successful newsletter creators and as such, is so easy to use! If you are looking to create your own newsletter and are looking for a great platform, you can check Beehiiv out here. They have a great free plan as well as paid plans when you’re ready to scale.