self-talk

noun

ˌself-ˈtȯk 

: talk or thoughts directed at oneself

As we push through the pain during a race, it's natural to talk to ourselves. It's also natural to have an unpleasant conversation. Studies show that both negative and positive self-talk influence performance—you can guess which works best.

—Bicycling

… let's say a student said, "I'm having trouble learning these new techniques." The first thing I would do is probe into his self-talk. He's probably thinking, "I shouldn't be having so much trouble."

—Thomas J. Nardi

Neil Fiore, a motivational speaker … says the road to timely tax filing can be reached with a little positive self-talk.

—Kris Frieswick

Examples of self-talk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Here’s how to combat the imposter syndrome and negative self-talk that often comes with a career pivot. —Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2024

What are your go-to practices for keeping perfectionism, negative self-talk, and other damaging elements of the psyche in check? —Jayme Moye, Outside Online, 22 Oct. 2024

Just as archers practice visualization and cognitive reframing to manage stress and maintain composure in challenging situations, leaders can also use scenario planning and self-talk to become more resilient. —Juan Carlos Holgado michael D. Watkins, Harvard Business Review, 16 Aug. 2024

Stating positive affirmations in front of a mirror and stopping negative self-talk is essential. —Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined above