Positive Self-Talk for Good Health: It's Good Business!

Positive Self-Talk for Good Health: It's Good Business!

Zig Ziegler’s terrific book, “Success for Dummies,” has had a tremendous impact on my life. I first encountered the book when I began teaching “Introduction to Business” at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, CT, a few years ago. It continues to be part of the curriculum and used in conjunction with the text book. At the beginning of each semester the students regularly question the reason for having to purchase and use such a book. By the end of each semester, after reading, writing a personal reflection, and discussing each chapter, the great majority of students remark how positive an experience it was and how much they learned about what it takes to be a success in life. They also saw the correlation between getting control of our personal lives and its affect on careers.

In Chapter10, Zig reinforces the fact that positive self-talk is good for your health! We know that there is scientific evidence that validates this premise! Saying positive, encouraging things to your self can have significant influence on how we behave. Of course, the flip side – saying negative, devaluing things can also have a great impact!

What are you saying to yourself? How is the “chatter” in your head affecting your attitude, your behavior, and those around you at home and in the workplace?

Since we spend most of our waking hours in the workplace, being aware of our “chatter” can make a difference (positively or negatively), not only for us personally, but on the workplace environment and, ultimately, on personal and business results.

In my workshops and programs, I usually ask three opening questions:
1. What business are you in?
2. Who’s really driving your business?
3. How can you create a more positive workplace?

How did you respond? Did you answer questions #1 with the product or service you provide? Did you answer question #2 with the word “money?” Did you answer question #3 with either your name or those of your upper management? If you did, you are not alone!

In today’s global workplace, many employees are being stretched to the max! (You may be one of them.) They are doing more with less, leaving them feeling stressed, overwhelmed and disengaged – burned out – leading to lower productivity, internal/exte
al customer service issues, and turnover, all of which impacts career and bottom-line results. Did you know it costs about 250% of salary (recruiting, training, operational issues) each time an employee turns over?

I work with many “for-profit” and “not-for-profit” businesses/organizations who understand that we are all in the “people” business and how important it is to strengthen the (hard and soft) skills of those who are really running their business – the employees. This is the important “P2P” connection principle that I regularly talk about…

The partnership between managers and employees has a great impact on the workplace environment. When the manager/supervisor’s attitude sets a negative tone and creates an environment that is negative and toxic, employees tend to be negative, feel under-developed, disengaged, de-motivated, unproductive, and deliver poor customer service. Employee morale is low, turnover is high and business results suffer!

Starting today – shake things up by realizing how you are talking to yourself! What is the “chatter” in your ear? Is it positive or negative? According to Zig, self-talking takes only a couple of minutes at the start of your day and each evening before retiring.

Now let’s get started! Square those shoulders, look your self in the eye, and quietly but firmly say aloud:
• I (say your name), am a highly motivated, health-conscious individual who is committed to taking care of my health now so that I will enjoy a high-quality of life all my life.
• I am committed to a physical activity program that will increase my energy level and keep my weight under control.
• I will talk positively about my health and think positive health thoughts.
• I will eat sensibly.
• I will regularly get physical exams as a step to preventing serious problems, and I understand that my physical health has a direct bearing on my happiness, my attitude, my family, my job success, my peace of mind, my finances, and my corporate or business success.

Source: “Success for Dummies,” Zig Ziegler, Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, 1998.

Remember…The eyes are the windows to the soul. You can’t look yourself in the eye, make these statements with sincerity and conviction, and not have them make a Positive Impact on your personal life, career, the workplace environment and results!

A Positive Workplace Means Business! It Just Makes Cent$! TM