Is Your Self-Talk Sabotaging Your Online Business?
What You Say to Yourself Shapes Your Success in online business
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How to Shift Your Self-Talk and Protect Your Mindset for Long-Term Success
As entrepreneurs, we're always learning. We listen to lots of mentors, coaches, and "experts" in the online business space. But do you know who's voice is the most important?
Your own.
What you say to yourself matters.
How do you talk to yourself as an entrepreneur?
Our thoughts can either propel us forward or too often, hold us back.
This idea has been on my mind for a while. In fact, I added it to my ClickUp board almost exactly one year ago.
It came to me while I was reading James 3:6-8, a powerful scripture about how the tongue can do lasting damage. That made me pause and ask: have I done damage to others with my own words?
Turns out, sadly the answer is probably yes.
Then God prompted me to revisit that question about myself, to ask "have I done lasting damage to myself with my words to myself in my mind?"
Even as someone who loves to encourage others, I often find that my self-talk is harsh, pushy, and unkind.
As I researched more, I came across three core reasons why our brains lean toward negative thoughts (a.k.a. negativity bias):
Evolutionary survival: Negative thinking helped early humans avoid danger.
Memory retention: We remember negative events more vividly.
Brain wiring: Neuroscience shows our brains react more strongly to negative stimuli.
So yes, negativity is natural, but that doesn’t mean we have to stay stuck there. We do have a choice about the words we say to ourselves and others!
5 Ways to Reverse "Stinkin' Thinkin"
Here are some tools and strategies I use to shift my mindset and speak more kindly to myself, especially when I'm feeling down on myself about my online business:
1. Awareness
Start by simply paying attention to how you feel.
Low motivation or frustration often signal harsh self-talk. That’s your red flag. Pay attention to your thoughts and how they're shaping your emotions.
2. Take Thoughts Captive
This comes from the Bible, but here’s how I make it practical. I challenge negative thoughts with phrases and questions like:
"That’s not fair." that I learned from Brendon Burchard.
"Where did that thought come from?" from the book Don't Give the Enemy A Seat at the Table by Louie Giglio.
Would you say that to a friend? Would God say that to you? If the answer is no, it doesn’t belong in your mind!
3. Turn on Music
Music moves the soul. When negative self-talk creeps in, I blast my favorite playlist. Let it drown out the noise in your head and lift your spirits.
4. Feed Your Mind Positively
Social media can pull us into comparison mode fast. Instead, pour into your mind with uplifting books and podcasts.
Two of my favorites are Brendon Burchard’s Motivation podcast and Louie Giglio’s Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table.
5. Daily Prayer & Holy Spirit Guidance
This is my most powerful tool! I ask God to help me see myself the way He sees me: with love, value, and purpose. I pray for self-control over my thoughts and words.
We are entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and creators who are bringing powerful work into the world. And to keep doing that, we must protect our mindset.
So I want to hear from you: How do you reverse negative self-talk?
What tools or practices help you most?
Drop a comment to encourage other entrepreneurs too!
Until next time, keep protecting your mindset and moving forward.
