3 Keys to Stop Negative Chatter

By James Altucher and Claudia Azula Altucher

The Power of No happens from the core of your being.

• You need discernment (to know how to see the fabric of myths in your life).
• You need compassion (to know when your power could cause harm to others).
• You need health (to have the energy to create the life you want to live).

Most people love, or try to love, their kids, their spouses, and their friends. Most people try to take care of the ones they love and be there for them.

But sometimes we get stuck. Our obligations run up against true longings that come from deep inside. Longings that can’t be ignored.

We get stuck in negative chatter that becomes a running commentary on our lives, much like a news anchor who only tells us the bad news that happens all day long.

Examples of negative chatter:
“How could he do this to me?”
“Why does that person look like an idiot?”
“Do I look ugly?”
“How am I going to survive my job today?”
“Am I going to be able to pay the bills?” And on and on.

Throughout the day we get filled with doubts. Maybe some people don’t. But we often do. We think of people from our past who have done us wrong, and we get angry. We might even obsess about this anger. Or we worry about some upcoming event, and we get afraid. It’s a practice for many of us not to be filled with self-doubt and anxiety all day long.

Often we beat ourselves up in ways in which we would never beat up someone we loved. This is the worst form of cruelty. It’s a daily practice to recognize when this is happening and then to say to ourselves, “I am here for you, honey. I love you and want to take care of you.”

3 Keys to Stop Negative Chatter

1. Catch yourself when you are starting to feel “the anger.”                                                   Anger never accomplishes what you want it to.
   
2. Treat yourself like someone you love.                                                                                      And “fake it till you make it” if you can’t. Imagine someone you love. Imagine what you would say to him or her. Now say it to yourself. Cradle yourself like a mother cradles her baby.
   
3. Treat others with love.                                                                                                        Without the first and the second key to show you how, this is much more difficult. But it’s important. Do you stay with the anger, or do you practice compassion? It’s your choice, but we hope you choose compassion.

You can read more inspiring wisdom and practical exercises from James and Claudia in their new book, The Power of No.