What to Say When You Talk to Yourself

Shad Helmstetter

What to Say When You Talk to Yourself explores how self-talk programs our beliefs, habits, and ultimately our results. Helmstetter shows that much of our internal dialogue is negative or inherited, keeping us stuck in patterns we don’t even realize we’re running. By intentionally rewriting this script, we can reprogram our subconscious with words that build confidence, discipline, and growth.

The book provides practical techniques for creating positive affirmations, catching destructive thoughts, and installing new mental habits. The key lesson: the language we use with ourselves determines the life we build, change the words, change the outcomes.

Overview

This book breaks down how self-talk programs your subconscious, which in turn drives your behavior, feelings, attitudes, and results. By intentionally upgrading your self-talk, you rewire your brain to support success, resilience, and confidence.

Top 5 Insights

Your inner dialogue (silent or spoken) creates your identity and results.
There are 5 levels of self-talk, from negative acceptance → affirmations.
Words literally reprogram the subconscious brain.
To change outcomes, change the script you run daily.
Self-talk impacts mood, confidence, and even physiology.

🕮 History / Context

Written by Shad Helmstetter in the late 1980s, one of the earliest self-talk frameworks.
Pioneered the idea that *language is programming* for the subconscious.
Still relevant → modern neuroscience confirms language reshapes brain pathways.

⛮ How It Works

Self-talk comes in 3 forms: silent, spoken, and recorded.
5 Levels of self-talk:
- 1. **Negative Acceptance** (“I can’t do this”) → kills action.
- 2. **Recognition of Need** (“I should/need to…”) → identifies problem but no solution.
- 3. **Decision Statements** (“I never / I no longer…”) → rewires action identity.
- 4. **Affirmations** (“I am energetic, I am a winner”) → present tense, identity-based.
- 5. **Universal Truths** (“It is…”) → spiritual connection level.
Behavior, feelings, attitude, beliefs → all flow from subconscious programming.

🖆 Application

Audit current self-talk → identify where you’re running Level 1–2 scripts.
Replace with Level 3–4 affirmations → “I never procrastinate,” “I am disciplined.”
Record positive self-talk → play back daily to deepen programming.
Create auto-suggestion statements (daily self-programming = part of GG already).
Teach clients → financial habits follow self-talk (e.g., “I am in control of my money”).

🇽 Traps / Misconceptions

Affirmations without belief don’t work → must repeat until subconscious accepts.
Level 2 (“I should”) feels productive but creates guilt without change.
Old programming can resurface → requires consistency to overwrite.

🗸 Generational Growth Takeaways

Fits directly with GG’s **Daily Self-Programming Statements** already in your personal mission doc.
Clients often come in saying: “I’m bad with money” → that’s Level 1 self-talk. GG reframes: “I am in control of my money. I am building assets.”
Adds depth to GG’s philosophy: wealth-building isn’t just numbers, it’s identity + subconscious programming.
Practical → can be embedded into client onboarding (have them write their own Level 3–4 money affirmations).

Raw Notes

Forms of self talk ⛮:

Silent: correct internal monologue.
Spoken: how you talk about yourself to others.
Recorded: listening to affirmations.

Levels of self talk ⛮:

Level 1: Negative Acceptance → “I can’t.” Leads to no action.
Level 2: Recognition of Need → “I need to/should.” Identifies problem but no solution.
Level 3: Decision Statements → “I never / I no longer.” First real change.
Level 4: Affirmations → “I am.” Present tense, positive identity.
Level 5: Universal Truths → “It is.” Spiritual alignment.

Path forward 🖆:

**5 factors driving outcome:** behavior, feelings, attitude, beliefs, programming.
To change: reprogram subconscious through intentional language.
Thoughts → electrical impulses → brain control center → mood, actions, characteristics
Beliefs influence thoughts which influence speech which influences attitudes then actions