What to Say When You Talk to Yourself by Shad Helmstetter

Last updated: Jul 13, 2023

Summary of What to Say When You Talk to Yourself by Shad Helmstetter

"What to Say When You Talk to Yourself" by Shad Helmstetter is a self-help book that explores the power of self-talk and its impact on our lives. The author emphasizes the importance of the messages we give ourselves and how they shape our beliefs, attitudes, and actions. The book begins by explaining the concept of self-talk and how it influences our subconscious mind. Helmstetter argues that our thoughts and words have the ability to create our reality, and by changing our self-talk, we can change our lives. He introduces the idea of "programming" our minds with positive affirmations and beliefs to achieve success and happiness. Helmstetter then delves into the different types of self-talk, such as negative programming, counterprogramming, and positive programming. He highlights the detrimental effects of negative self-talk, which often stems from childhood experiences and societal conditioning. The author provides strategies to identify and replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations and empowering beliefs. The book also explores the role of self-talk in various aspects of life, including relationships, health, and career. Helmstetter emphasizes the importance of aligning our self-talk with our goals and desires to achieve success in these areas. He provides practical exercises and techniques to reprogram our minds and create a positive self-image. Furthermore, Helmstetter discusses the power of visualization and mental imagery in reinforcing positive self-talk. He explains how visualizing our desired outcomes can help us manifest them in reality. The author also addresses the role of emotions in self-talk and provides guidance on managing negative emotions and cultivating positive ones. Throughout the book, Helmstetter emphasizes the need for consistency and repetition in practicing positive self-talk. He encourages readers to create daily affirmations and affirm them regularly to rewire their subconscious minds. The author also emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences and avoiding negative environments and people. In conclusion, "What to Say When You Talk to Yourself" is a comprehensive guide to harnessing the power of self-talk for personal growth and success. Helmstetter provides practical tools, techniques, and insights to help readers transform their self-talk and create a positive mindset. By implementing the strategies outlined in the book, individuals can overcome self-limiting beliefs, improve their self-image, and achieve their goals."

1. The Power of Self-Talk

In "What to Say When You Talk to Yourself," Shad Helmstetter emphasizes the immense power of self-talk. He explains that the thoughts and words we use to communicate with ourselves shape our beliefs, attitudes, and actions. By consciously choosing positive and empowering self-talk, we can reprogram our minds and achieve greater success and happiness.

Helmstetter provides practical techniques to harness the power of self-talk, such as creating personalized affirmations and repeating them daily. He highlights the importance of consistency and repetition in rewiring our subconscious mind. By consistently feeding our minds with positive self-talk, we can overcome self-doubt, build self-confidence, and achieve our goals.

2. The Subconscious Mind

Helmstetter delves into the workings of the subconscious mind and its influence on our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. He explains that our subconscious mind acts as a filter, accepting and internalizing the messages we repeatedly tell ourselves. These messages then shape our self-image and determine our actions.

Understanding the power of the subconscious mind allows us to take control of our self-talk and consciously direct our thoughts towards positive and empowering beliefs. Helmstetter provides techniques to reprogram the subconscious mind, such as visualization and mental rehearsal. By consistently feeding our subconscious mind with positive self-talk, we can create a new reality and achieve the success we desire.

3. The Impact of Negative Programming

Helmstetter highlights the detrimental effects of negative programming on our self-image and overall well-being. He explains that negative self-talk, often influenced by external factors such as criticism or past failures, can create limiting beliefs and hold us back from reaching our full potential.

By recognizing and challenging negative programming, we can break free from self-imposed limitations and create a positive self-image. Helmstetter provides strategies to overcome negative programming, such as reframing negative thoughts and replacing them with positive affirmations. By consciously choosing positive self-talk, we can rewire our minds and create a foundation for success.

4. The Power of Belief

Helmstetter emphasizes the importance of belief in achieving our goals. He explains that our beliefs shape our thoughts, emotions, and actions, ultimately determining our level of success. By cultivating empowering beliefs through positive self-talk, we can overcome self-doubt and achieve extraordinary results.

Helmstetter provides techniques to strengthen our beliefs, such as creating affirmations that align with our desired outcomes and repeating them consistently. By reinforcing positive beliefs through self-talk, we can tap into our full potential and accomplish what we once thought was impossible.

5. The Role of Visualization

Helmstetter explores the power of visualization in manifesting our desires. He explains that by vividly imagining our goals and desired outcomes, we can program our subconscious mind to work towards their attainment. Visualization helps us create a clear mental image of our desired reality, making it easier to take inspired action.

Helmstetter provides practical techniques for effective visualization, such as creating detailed mental pictures and engaging all our senses. By regularly visualizing our goals and reinforcing them with positive self-talk, we can accelerate our progress and bring our dreams to life.

6. The Importance of Self-Acceptance

Helmstetter emphasizes the significance of self-acceptance in personal growth and happiness. He explains that by accepting ourselves unconditionally, flaws and all, we can cultivate a positive self-image and build self-confidence.

Helmstetter provides strategies to practice self-acceptance, such as reframing negative self-talk and focusing on our strengths. By embracing self-acceptance and using positive self-talk to reinforce our self-worth, we can experience greater fulfillment and success in all areas of life.

7. The Power of Repetition

Helmstetter underscores the power of repetition in rewiring our minds and creating lasting change. He explains that by consistently repeating positive self-talk, we can override negative programming and establish new empowering beliefs.

Helmstetter provides techniques to incorporate repetition into our daily lives, such as creating affirmations and listening to self-talk recordings. By making repetition a habit, we can reprogram our subconscious mind and unlock our full potential.

8. Taking Responsibility for Our Thoughts

Helmstetter emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for our thoughts and the impact they have on our lives. He explains that by consciously choosing positive self-talk and rejecting negative thoughts, we can shape our reality and create the life we desire.

Helmstetter provides practical strategies to take control of our thoughts, such as monitoring our self-talk and replacing negative thoughts with positive affirmations. By actively managing our thoughts and using self-talk as a tool for empowerment, we can transform our lives and achieve extraordinary success.