What To Say When You Talk To Your Self by Shad Helmstetter Book Review

Positive self talk... it's one of the few concepts in the self help and personal development industry that really can turn people off and light others up. Personally, I never thought too highly of trivial things like pepping yourself up with phony happy-go-lucky statements.



Nonetheless, I read THE book on it. How did that happen? Well, I read Dr. Shad Helmstetter's "What To Say When You Talk To Your Self" for a good reason. Basically, like "7 Habits" author Steven Covey says word of mouth is the most powerful form of advertisement. I was not looking for a book on self talk. I probably wouldn't have picked up a book on self talk if it came right down to it. But in my personal development study I heard from greats like Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, and numerous others about the power of this book.

I probably ignored the first recommendation I heard for the book. Time and again, however, it was mentioned. And ultimately I gave in – my suspicions on self talk very much withstanding.

When it was all said and done, "What To Say When You Talk To Your Self" by Shad Helmstetter was a very good book to read. It exposed me to the idea of self talk. It's much more than merely telling yourself foolish fantasies. Self talk is something we all do. Most of us don't know much about it, and probably much fewer have a firm grasp on how to use self talk to their advantage. This book begins the process of putting you in control.

Value of "What To Say When You Talk To Your Self"

The most startling evidence of the book's value came early on. Shad posed a question regarding two completely identical people with one simple exception. The exception was that the one person spoke positively about their own ability, believed in their self to be capable. They had positive self talk. The other, exact duplicate individual simply had negative self talk. And the question he posed was this: Which of these two people would you bet on living a more successful and prosperous life?

The answer to me, and I imagine most people, is startling clear. Taking two identical people and injecting one with positive self talk would give them a huge upper hand in life. This reason alone, in my opinion, is reason enough to study self talk. I was pretty well sold on the idea after this brief exercise.

What's In The Book

"What To Say When You Talk To Your Self" is pretty thorough. It gives you information on self talk, what it can do for you, where it comes from, and how it affects you (consciously or otherwise). Furthermore, Shad Helmstetter is generous enough to sprinkle pertinent examples of self talk statements throughout the book. (I have already shared quite a few of these self talk examples on this blog.) I genuinely dislike products which merely tease you with minimal substance and really force you into buying additional products. Shad's book certainly passed that test.

The best thing about Helmstetter's book is that he informs you about self talk and what it can do for you, and then he gives you actual nuts-and-bolts techniques. He doesn't leave you hanging -- guessing, hoping, and wondering if you're doing it right. He outlines the how, when, where and what type of positive self talk to use in any situation.

What Shad Helmstetter's Book Did For Me

One of the major effects this book had in my life was that it taught and helped me to become more aware of what's going on in my own head, and how what other people say influences me. It's shocking to find out just exactly what is said from repeatedly subtle statements. It certainly helped me to identify people in my own life who are negative, although in very innocuous ways. I should emphasize here that I am not talking about people who are outright rude or nasty. Not at all! But hearing others' negative self talk WILL affect you if you aren't aware of it.

I am sure that if you simply read this book you will become more aware of your own self talk. Even if you don't do the exercises you will probably make minor improvements simply because you are more aware. If, on the other hand, you make a dedicated effort to improve your self talk you can make leaps and bounds in your personal development progress.

Final Words on "What To Say When You Talk To Your Self" Review

If you don't know anything about positive self talk then "What To Say When You Talk To Your Self" is for you. This is THE book on self talk. If you aren't sure how to use self talk, then get this book. If you want to improve your mental attitude and stop nagging, negative thoughts then Dr. Shad Helmstetter's book is a must. If you're interested in reading one of the notable self help classics then you no-doubt need this book on your reading list.

The book is quality. It delivers what it promises; and it does NOT make false promises like too many books in the self help genre. Self talk is far more than simply the words that go through your head. You'll improve your self talk, attitude, and become more aware of how words affect you, and this will improve your life.

I will close with some words from the book. Our greatest responsibility, according to Shad Helmstetter, is creating our own thoughts and determining the direction of our own future.

"Self-management is the difference between living a life of fulfillment and purpose, and living out our years frustrated and incomplete, contained by the shortsighted limitations of our own disbelief. Self-management is the final conquest. And its solution is within our reach."

I encourage you and all my friends to read and really apply what you learn from Shad Helmstetter's book as soon as possible.