How leaders can transform internal “chatter” to a positive

Every minute of the day, human beings have private thoughts that run in an unending cycle. These unshared views, expectations, ideas, attitudes and the like occupy many of us. This mental monologue, often known as self-talk or "inner chatter," is generally unpleasant and personal.

Humans have struggled with the phenomena of the "inner voice" since ancient times, according to Ethan Kross, a psychology and management professor at the University of Michigan and author of the book "Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It." This mental monologue frequently devolves into chatter or recurrent unpleasant thoughts and emotions that can manifest in various ways.

A rambling private monologue, a discussion with yourself or a reflection on previous events are all examples of chatter. It can also be experienced as a tortured picture of future events, a fixation on a terrible sensation or incident, or just bouncing between negative thoughts and feelings.

Chatter can hold negative repercussions, such as encouraging us to be more aggressive or silently undermining us. According to Kross, who is also the head of the University of Michigan's Emotion & Self Control Laboratory, our lack of self-control and emotions of doubt are what fuel the talk. 

Entrepreneurs and small business owners, like everyone else, may be subjected to a barrage of information that could limit their potential, undermine their confidence and obstruct their success. This negative internal dialogue can hinder their ability to operate and run their firm.

If you're concerned with chatter as a leader, you could feel trapped, lose concentration and postpone making essential business decisions. As a result, your employees' performance may suffer, and your firm may suffer. However, according to Kross, negative talk may be converted into a positive force by using a few techniques detailed below.

Counsel

Rethink your body's reactions

Broaden your horizons

It may also be beneficial to engage in mental time travel. Consider how you'll feel in a day, a month, a year, a decade or even a couple of decades. This broadens your perspective. Keep reminding yourself that you'll come back to the thoughts that are bothering you later, and they'll appear to be less bothersome in the process. This emphasizes the fleeting nature of your current emotional state.

 

Organize

Limit use of social media