It is often stated that only mad people talk to themselves, yet we all talk to ourselves all day long, day in day out, without even realising what we are doing. Our inner chatterbox is the voice that acts as background music to our lives. We all have this inner voice, a voice that can sometimes drive us crazy with criticisms, pessimism and complaints. This is the little voice that tells you something is stupid, impossible, a bad idea and a failure.

You know that voice - it's the niggling voice that can make you feel plain miserable about your life. It is our negative inner chatterbox that stops us from applying for that promotion or new job, asking that cute guy or girl out or making a positive change to our lives. It instills doubts, fear and uncertainty about everything. Yet whether this background music is negative or positive is entirely up to us.

So what can you do to silence or at least quieten your negative inner chatterbox and start hearing a more positive tune instead? Well, there are three simple steps you can take to stop that inner critic from driving you mad.

Step One

Observe your inner chatterbox and actively become aware of what your mental chatter is saying to you. Really listen to it - too often we don't pay full attention to our thoughts, simply letting them dominate us. What does your chatterbox say? Does it repeat the same thing over and over? How does it make you feel? You probably haven't focused consciously on what your chatterbox has been saying and have simply accepted its words for the truth. This is the biggest myth yet it is a myth that remains very powerful for many people, stopping them from realizing their full potential. Your negative critic is often simply trying to bluff you with feelings of fear and uncertainty. It is your own worst enemy and what it says to you is not the truth. Don't let the wrong words trick you!

Step Two

Evaluate your chatterbox. Does your negative inner chatterbox have several disguises, such as Anxious Chatterbox, Angry Chatterbox or Scared Chatterbox? Perhaps you hear glimpses of a positive chatterbox fighting to be heard more loudly - if you do, congratulate yourself and make a note to listen in for it more carefully in future. If you don't, not to worry as you will in time with a little practice. Simply be aware that your negative inner chatterbox has become a habit in your mind. It is time to listen to a different soundtrack! A positive one that fills you with energy and makes you want to get up and dance!

Step Three

Begin to replace your negative inner chatterbox with your positive one. Give your positive voice more room to speak, coach it and encourage it by repeating positive affirmations and keep doing so until you begin to feel the change. Affirmations are positive, powerful statements. You are more likely to feel uplifted and energized by this positive, loving voice you are hearing. If you find it hard, again don't worry. Try this technique: As soon as your negative inner chatterbox comes up with a statement such as "I never succeed in anything I do", immediately turn this around to a positive statement such as "I succeed in everything I do". This reverse-effect is extremely helpful. Note how each statement makes you feel and it is guaranteed that you will want to continue to give your inner chatterbox a positive - and strong - voice.

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