| Aim | The aim of this activity is to help participants increase their self-esteem by practicing positive self-talk. |
| Trainee profile | Any. People with special needs can participate as long as they are able to express themselves. |
| Learning Objectives | To identify negative self-talk patterns and replace them with positive self-talk
To understand the impact of positive self-talk on self-esteem and confidence To develop a toolkit for practicing positive self-talk in daily life |
| n° participants | Ideally 8-10 people |
| Duration | 45 minutes |
| Materials | Flipchart and markers
Small pieces of paper or index cards Pens or pencils |
| Preparation | Prepare the flipchart with the following headings: Negative Self-Talk vs. Positive Self-Talk.
Write a few examples of negative self-talk under the Negative Self-Talk column. You may ask your participants to help you out identifying those examples. Create small pieces of paper or index cards with positive affirmations or statements. Prepare a space where participants can sit or stand in a circle. |
| Implementation | Introduce the concept of positive self-talk and why it is important for building self-esteem and confidence.
Explain that negative self-talk can be damaging to our self-esteem and that we can replace it with positive self-talk. Give participants a few minutes to reflect on negative self-talk patterns that they may have noticed in themselves and write them down on the flipchart. Introduce the positive affirmation cards and explain that each participant will receive a card and read it aloud to the group. Ask them to stand in a circle and pass the affirmation cards around until everyone has received a card. Invite them to read their affirmation out loud to the group and share how it makes them feel. Discuss the impact of positive self-talk on self-esteem and confidence. Encourage them to use positive self-talk in their daily lives and develop a toolkit of positive affirmations or statements that they can use. |
| Debriefing | Facilitate a reflection session on how to use positive self-talk in our daily life, what are the difficulties in choosing positive talks over negative ones, and how we can trick our mind to be proactive. |
| Tips and hints | Be aware of the participants’ emotions and reactions during the activity and provide support if needed.
Encourage participants to be open and honest during the activity but also respect their boundaries if they do not feel comfortable sharing personal experiences. |
| Safety measures | Provide a safe and non-judgmental space for trainees to share their experiences.
Respect the participants’ privacy and confidentiality. |
| Added value | This activity can help develop a positive and resilient mindset, which can benefit their personal and professional lives. |
| Variances | Participants can create their own positive affirmations or statements based on their personal needs and experiences. |
| Suggested readings | “What to Say When You Talk to Yourself” by Shad Helmstetter |