Time:

Materials:

To discover the power of the internal "chatterbox

Forty-five minutes

See Handout - Challenging Our Mistaken Certainties
                     - I Have Control ...

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The latest scientific research suggests that happy thoughts produce chemicals that actually strengthen the body and negative thoughts produce other chemicals that weaken the body. It is important that people are aware of words that are limiting them and their ideas, e.g., "I can't" or "I never." Even the words of obligation such as "I should" or "I must" weaken people because they have a sense of guilt, inadequacy or obligation associated with them.

The problem with negative thinking is that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Negative motivation - people telling themselves how bad they are so that they will start to be good rarely works. Instead of saying, "I failed," and rendering themselves a failure, people can say instead, "I made a mistake. I am only human and mistakes can be corrected or learned from."

It is important that people start to restructure self-defeating thoughts. Instead of saying, "I can never succeed at anything," say "I am confident that I can make the best of whatever happens." Exaggerated or meaningless claims are not being made, e.g., "I will never succeed at anything." Research shows that symptoms of depression improve in people who learn to transform their most negative thoughts into positive statements.

A key to greater self-confidence is to be self-directed. Encourage participants to take their eyes off others and what they expect of them and look deep inside themselves. It is important to become a self-directed person rather than one whose life is controlled by the opinions of others.

Method:

1. To show the effect of the words on people, the following demonstration is performed. Ask for a volunteer from the class. Tell the person to face the group, extend their arm and make a fist. Instruct them to resist as the instructor tries to push their arm down. (If the volunteer is unable to resist the pushing another person is required). Then instruct the volunteer as follows:

  -  "Close your eyes and repeat ten times I am a weak and unworthy person. This statement is        not to be believed, simply said. I'll stop you when you've said it ten times".

  -  The volunteer stops when instructed. They are then asked to raise their arm, make a fist and       resist as the instructor tries to push their arm down. Their arm will drop.