The cognitive approach suggests we pay attention to the way in which we talk to ourselves about results. For example, after a particularly good performance one person might say things such as, ‘I knew I could do it, I’ll be able to do that again.’ Another person might say something like, ‘That was lucky, I doubt whether I’ll be able to repeat that.’ Likewise after a poor or ineffective performance our first person might say something like, ‘I could do that a lot better next time’, while the second person might say, ‘I thought as much, I knew that it would turn out like this.’
Once we have identified our usual way of talking to ourselves we can look at how these internal conversations with ourselves limit us, then consider changing the script.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Reflect upon a time when you did not achieve one of your results.
What did you say to yourself?
What was your limiting belief?
What is the opposite belief?
What would it be like to hold the new belief?
How might your behaviour change as a result?
What results would you achieve as a consequence?