Managing our thought talks
I had the pleasure of sharing the same speaker’s platform with Dr. Denis Waitley.
He is one of the nicest gentlemen I have ever met in my life. Not even an ounce of ego did I detect in this person who has sold more than 10 million audio programs in 14 languages and has written so many best selling books.
Dr. Waitley says: “You are your most important critic. There is no opinion so vitally important to your well being as the opinion you have of yourself.” And he is right.
We are practically talking to ourselves all the time.
Our “Thought Talks” go like these:
“Let’s see if I understand what he means by that… I don’t believe what he is saying. My boss is a jerk. How could I finish this project on time?” And the “Thoughts Talks” continue all through out the day.
Now these “Thought Talks” can either work for us and they can work against us. They can either build up our self-confidence and creativity or infuse us with fear and doubts debilitating us. We all have a running commentary in our heads on events and we need to be aware of this.
There are many silent conversations we have with ourselves.
We can all be coaches or critics, reinforce success or negate it.
These “Thought Talks” are actually conversations we can manage.
Dr. Denis Waitley says:
• When winners fail, they view it as a temporary inconvenience, a learning experience, an isolated event, and a stepping-stone instead of a stumbling block.
• When winners succeed, they reinforce that success, by feeling rewarded rather than guilty about the achievement and the applause.
• When winners are paid a compliment, they simply respond: “Thank you.” They accept value graciously when it is paid. They pay value in their conversations with themselves and with other people.
Allow me to add a few “Thought Talks” myself.
• Winners carry the ability to be still. They do not need noises around them all the time. They study Scriptures and they pray because they know that what they feed into their soul is what is stored into their thinking system.
• Winners have a healthy sense of humor. They know how to laugh at themselves and not at others. Their “Thought Talks” tell them that life is short and some days are long but every moment can either be endured or enjoyed. They choose the latter.
• Winners find no need to brag. Their “Thought Talks” tell them that people who trumpet their exploits and shout for service are actually calling for help. The showoffs, braggarts and blowhards are desperate for attention.
• Winners look at mistakes as detours on the road to success, and view ridicule as ignorance. Their “Thought Talks” remind them that those who seek out to smear their reputation, fabricate lies and malign their character are small people who need help and think that by destroying others they can become big.
We can manage our thought talks. Every time these mental conversations take place we are actually attending these important and special meetings with ourselves.
Take note of the fact that you are unique and you will never find another person in the world who is exactly like you. So include in your “Thought Talks” the following:
• Instead of being envious I will celebrate another person’s success.
• Instead of complaining about my job I will be grateful that the company finds me useful.
• Instead of using my position in my organization to get people to do what I want I will serve them and earn their respect.
Manage your “Thought Talks” carefully. For our thoughts really reveal who we are and what we are made of.
Remember this: Small minds discuss people;
Average minds discuss events;
Great minds discuss ideas.
So what are your “Thought Talks” discussing these days?
(Attend Dr. John Maxwell’s Leadership Summit Live this coming
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