Positive self-talk leads to self-confidence

A few minutes ago I listened to a post-match interview with Roger Federer at the Australian Open. Federer had just defeated Andy Roddick and progressed to the final. One of Federer’s first comments was how he played well because he had confidence. Self-confidence is the result of positive self-talk.

How do we help our children to develop self-confidence?

Here’s a 4 step plan. Awareness → Understanding → Skills → Practice

To develop positive self-talk your child needs to:

Step 1: become aware of what they are saying to themselves, in their thoughts.

Step 2: understand that those thoughts influence their behaviour, for better or worse

Step 3: develop their own set of positive self-talk phrases, for example;

I can do it.

I’m good enough.
If I want to, I can.
It doesn’t matter if I make a mistake.
I can make it happen.
If I try hard, I’ll get there.

Step 4: practice, catching themselves being positive with their self-talk

I have found some great action plans and although they have been written for classroom use, you can easily adapt to use at home with your children. They are suitable for children of school age, 5-18 years. You can Download Your Positive Self-Talk Action Plans here.