How could you say that to him?!?!

Many folks may find it very odd to learn, that back in the period of time up until around the late 1800's telling someone that they were "A liar" was one of the biggest insults you could hurl. It had serious implications, and many a duel (with sabres and later pistols) were had, due to this insult.

Today it seems we have lost much sensitivity to words, their meanings, and the impact they can have on others.

Cyber-bullying is a huge issue, and perhaps more prudent to many of you, the current (and past) elections have led to a firestorm of words meant to bring the other candidate down, and insult their constituents....and I am NOT talking about the candidates themselves!

My Facebook feed has been filled with individuals from the Right, Left, and Center, not only stating whom they are in favor of and voting for, but also hurling very hurtful insults at those who do not believe the same as they.

It has gotten so bad, that last Wednesday, I slammed my laptop shut out of disgust.

Who are we to make fun of someone else who is illiterate and then to embarrass them, and those who share their political views, by making GIF's and Meme's stating that if you vote for such a such a candidate, that you are illiterate, and a hillbilly?

Or that if you believe in this candidates platform that you are turning the US into Russia, and must have been dropped on ones head as a baby.

What are we, in the 5th grade?

Who the hell do you think you are to insult other human beings this way?


Well, I went for a short ride on my commuter after slamming my computer shut, as I needed to clear my mind.


Just a few blocks into my ride, it hit me:

What people are posting on Facebook about their political opinions is TAME compared to the inner monologue that many of us have inside our heads...especially when it comes to Training/Athletic endeavors, and business endeavors.


You would be surprised as to how many athletes and top executives are incredibly harsh on themselves. The conversations inside their heads are brutal, constantly beating themselves down, and berating themselves.

"But hey", they figure, "this is ok, because I'm only doing it to get better!"

Wrong.

The way we think of ourselves, and especially how we TALK to ourselves, has a huge impact on motivation, self esteem, self image, and especially on our productivity and growth.

I've seen it. In athletes, and in companies.

But those athletes who start talking to themselves positively, and do critical thinking while envisioning a positive outcome (think along the lines of: "What are some obstacles that I will have to overcome on the way to my goal, and how will they each be dealt with?), have far better results than those who are negative, and beat themselves up AND better than those who just picture everything working out 100% in their favor ("Positive thinking").  **To read more about this, and how winners are built, pick up a copy of "Top Dog" By Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman. It's well written, and thoroughly researched.


It's not easy to change a habit, but in this case, it makes a world of a difference.
We are all too often WAY too harsh on ourselves, seeing ourselves as much worse than we are. Much uglier than we are. Much less of a hard worker than we are. Having much less skill, than we do. Having much less ability, than we do.

So, How do you talk to yourself? 

What is your inner monologue?

How hard are you on yourself?

How much credit do you give yourself?

Do you have the inner voice of a champion, or a chump?