What is the theory behind this Negative self-talk worksheet?

The ancient teachings of the Buddha, which indicate that all we are as humans is a product of the thoughts we have inside conveyed, so, as a result, we are formed by these thoughts, are the source of the significance of self-talk as a method of regulated thinking. 

Self-talk is frequently employed for performance improvement in sports, academic engagement, and to treat anxiety or depression in a clinic since it positively affects attention and mood regulation. While self-talk with negative content is linked to emotional unwell-being, self-talk with positive content can aid in promoting positive psychological states and regulating cognitions.

How will the worksheet help?

This worksheet will help your client to reframe their negative self-talk into positive self-talk. This will benefit the client in increasing their daily life performance, mood, and goal achievement. The more the client practices, the better results they will see in their life, since self-talk has the power to transform your life completely.

How to use the worksheet?

To use this worksheet, client will write the things they say to themselves on a daily basis that affect them negatively. Then, with the help of the therapist, they will reform negative self-talk into positive self-talk. After completing the activity, the client will try to incorporate this activity into their daily life to see the best results.

Negative self-talk worksheet

Negative Self-talk	Positive Self-talk
Example: I ran slowly and lost the race again. I’m never going to win.	I am getting faster every day. If I put more time into my practice, pretty soon I will start winning.

References

Brinthaupt, T. M. (2018). Individual Differences in Self-Talk Frequency: Social Isolation and Cognitive Disruption. Frontiers in Psychology. 

Ford, F.D. (2015). Exploring the impact of negative and positive self-talk in relation to loneliness and self-esteem in secondary school-aged adolescents. 

Kim, J., Kwon, J.H., Kim, J. et al. (2021). The effects of positive or negative self-talk on the alteration of brain functional connectivity by performing cognitive tasks. Sci Rep 11, 14873.

You can download this worksheet here.