How to avoid negative self-talk at work?

Negative self-talk is quite common in workspaces today. If it’s left unaddressed for a long time, it can pile up into deeper issues like low self-esteem, self-doubt, depression, and more. At the same time, there’s a possibility that it will eventually create a negative impact on work. 

Negative talk can spiral you into an illusionary loop of false conclusions about yourself. This tendency can further impact your performance not just personally but also professionally. 

The following is a comprehensive guide to dealing with negative self-talk at work.

Here are five things you need to stop doing right away:

 Thinking “you’re not good at it.”

There may be times when you don’t have sufficient knowledge or expertise about a topic. Instead of fading into the background and thinking you’re not enough, step up and do what you’re supposed to. You’ll be surprised at what you’ll be able to accomplish when you step out of your comfort zone.

Worrying about what other people think.

This is one of the major causes of negative self-talk. If you’re constantly worrying about other people’s opinions, you’ll lose your uniqueness. You’ll lose your flair. You can’t read other people’s minds. Just focus on your work and attend to matters that you need to attend to.

Besides, opinions are constantly changing. Sometimes, they have no deeper meaning so don’t pay much attention to them

Have doubt about your capabilities.

People who are passionate about learning ask a lot of questions. It’s the same in workplaces too. No matter how knowledgeable you are, there are still plenty of things to learn, especially in terms of application. 

If you fear asking questions, then it may become a roadblock in the future. This may lead to intrusive thoughts resulting in negative self-talk. 

Having questions doesn’t put you down in front of others. You do not have to have it all figured out. Workspaces are an opportunity. 

Being afraid of sharing your ideas

If you have an idea, don’t be afraid to share it with the rest of your team. You may feel shy and insecure about the strategies you come up with but some people may love and appreciate them. Never be afraid to share your thoughts. It is in expressing your ideas that you gain and grow your confidence. 

People Pleasing is not really pleasing

The desire to fit in adds unnecessary pressure without us realizing it. The danger with this is you may end up losing your individuality in the pursuit to fit in. 

In the process, you may be suppressing your opinion, agreeing with things or practices you don’t necessarily agree with, etc.

When you start compromising on your values, that’s when you end up feeling drained. It may eventually lead to negative self-talk that may disturb your career in the long run. 

Instead, if you honour yourself and practice self-confidence, people will be naturally attracted to you, irrespective of differences. 

Do you think any of these? Chances are it will drastically impact you and your work. Take a pause and address it head-on. 

1. Intrusive thoughts
   One negative thought after another may lead to depression and anxiety. These unwanted thoughts, if left unaddressed can lead to constant mind chatter. It can impact your confidence level and diminish clarity about what you’d like to accomplish. Therefore, it is very important to organize your thoughts before you do anything. So how do you recognize if the thoughts running through your head are skewing to the negative side? There is no sure way but here are a few points which may help:

   1. Ask yourself if the thoughts recur continuously.
   2. There are specific personality tests which you can try to examine yourself.
   3. There is no harm in seeking help. You can reach out to professionals who can support you better. 
   4. Spend time in solitude and observe yourself from an outsider’s point of view. This practice will give you a deeper insight into your behaviour.
2. Lack of clear communication
   Believe it or not, half of the job is done when you are able to express yourself properly and clearly. Communication does not just happen through language. That’s not all there is to communicating and expressing yourself.You have to take into consideration your body language and the manner in which you speak. Body language includes your:-

   • Posture,
   • Facial expression,
   • Gestures,
   • Energy and more,

   On the other hand, speaking skills involve:-

   • Tone,
   • Pitch,
   • Voice modulation,
   • Volume and more.

   You may be proficient in a language. But that doesn’t imply that your point is clear. Communication is a reflection of yourself. Improving it is actually an opportunity to become more aware of yourself. Once your communication is fixed, your relationship with those around you can become better. It will change how you feel. That change in perception will reflect on your workplace relations and your performance too.