The reason self-talk works so reliably is that it’s based on real science and the way the brain works. And whether you’re science-oriented or not, it will help you to know the basics.
3 min read
What positive and negative thinking can do to your brain.
This is exciting information. It tells us why positive thinking helps us succeed, and why negative thinking forces us to fail.
Negative self-talk.
1. People who think in the negative grow more neural connections in the right, prefrontal cortex of their brain. That’s the part of the brain that causes you to shut down, hide or flee, not seek solutions, and not take action. We call that ‘the failure center of the brain.’
Positive self-talk.
2. People who think in the positive grow more neural connections in left prefrontal cortex of their brain. That’s the part of the brain that helps them seek alternatives, find solutions, take action, stay with it, overcome obstacles, and succeed. We call that ‘the success center of the brain.’
It’s worth it to reread that if necessary to make sure it’s completely clear. People who think in the positive are wiring their brains to succeed. People who think in the negative are literally wiring their brains to fail!
Which part of your brain are you wiring most?
Your self-talk, whether you’re aware of it or not, is actually growing a part of your brain and making it stronger. And you are going to succeed or fail in life based on which part of the brain you’re making the strongest.
The people who told us to believe in ourselves were right all along! It’s no wonder optimism, positive attitudes, and ‘can-do’ thinking have inspired so many people. They were actually wiring their brains to succeed!
And that is the basis of positive self-talk. Because of the brain’s neuroplasticity, its ability wire and rewire itself throughout your lifetime, you can rewire and change your own brain. That’s what listening to positive self-talk does. It wires your brain to succeed!
Keep being incredible, and I’ll talk to you soon.
Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D.
The Self-Talk Institute can
