Pep talk – n. Informal A speech of exhortation, as to a team or staff, meant to instill enthusiasm or bolster morale.
I’m pretty sure we all know what a pep talk is. We would typically see it as something given by a football coach at half time, or to a sick patient by the doctor.
We give ourselves pep talks all the time when we talk to ourselves to give words of encouragement to get us over an imminent hurdle or challenge in life.
For the longest time I’ve used a few that work consistently for me:
“I’ve done something similar to this before. I can do this now.”
“It’s always worked out for me in the past. This will work out for me too.”
Yesterday I was cleaning my desk and I found a post-it note with my handwriting on it. I don’t remember writing this note and have no idea of the context surrounding it. But if we think about ourselves as beings who can transcend time this is a note written to me for the present from me in the past, and I found it at just the rig
ht time. It’s a pep talk of sorts and it resonates loud and clear:
You have options available.
You already have what you need.
Accept and expect challenges will be there at first.
Don’t procrastinate. Make a decision and take action.
Take time for yourself.
Face your fears.
Having effective pep talks for yourself are essential to success. There will surely be times when you’re not on top of the world and need a pick-me-up. If you’re equipped with a pep talk for yourself you will be able to get yourself on track in most situations.
The essential aspects of a pep talk:
- You need to believe it.
- It should be short and easy to repeat to yourself in a stressful time.
- It should be positive in nature – focus on what you want.
- Know it by heart.
- Trust the pep talk.
Matthew Page-Hanify is a Calgary-based business coach and trainer specializing in leadership and sales. Please call 403.671.3253 for more information.
