Self-Talk
The Voice That Shapes Your Career Story
When you think about your career, what’s the story you’re telling yourself?
Every decision—whether to apply for a course, step into a new job, or prepare for an interview—is influenced by the words running in your head. This is self-talk, and it can be your greatest ally or your biggest barrier.
Think about the last time you had an interview. From the moment you received the invitation, what thoughts came into your mind? Were you excited and confident, or anxious and doubtful? That inner voice matters because it shapes your feelings, and those feelings shape your behaviour. If your self-talk says “I can do this”, your body language, tone, and answers often follow suit. If instead it whispers “I’m not good enough”, your confidence shrinks before you even sit down.
The important thing to remember is this: self-talk isn’t fixed. You can rewrite it. Like any good story, you can edit, reshape, and retell it.
Here’s a simple exercise—pause and think of an interview or career opportunity ahead of you. Notice the first thoughts that come up. Now ask yourself: “Would I speak this way to a close friend?” If the answer is no, then maybe it’s time to shift that voice into something more supportive.
Self-talk is not about blind positivity. It’s about being fair to yourself. Sometimes, our negative self-talk isn’t even ours—it’s a collection of doubts we’ve absorbed from others: teachers, colleagues, social media. But you don’t have to keep repeating those lines. You can choose a new script.
So, here’s a challenge for you: write down one phrase of encouraging self-talk you’ll use this week. It could be as simple as: “I’ve learned a lot already, and I can learn even more.” Or: “I belong in this room.” Post it somewhere visible, repeat it when doubts creep in, and see how it influences your next step.
Your career story is written one chapter at a time. The words you tell yourself shape how those chapters unfold. Choose them wisely.
👉 Over to you: What’s the most common phrase of self-talk you hear in your head? Is it helpful—or holding you back?
Reach out on Social Media—I’d love to hear your story.
