How many conversations do you participate in every day? Think back through all of your interactions; how many inputs of opinions, data, visuals, sounds, or sights did you experience as part of our “conversation” with the world around us? How many conversations do you have with yourself (aka self-talk)?

Honestly, It’s a lot. We talk…a lot.

Sometimes even so much to the point where silence feels awkward (like being in an elevator). We feel the need to fill the void with a voice of some kind, whether it’s someone else’s or your own.

In short, here is something important that we’ve learned along this journey —

The most important conversation you have all day is the one you have with yourself. Self-honesty is the best policy.

Overall, it’s the opinion that sways your behavior the most. It pushes you toward your goals or away from them. It helps you take risks or avoid them. Sometimes, this conversation is like talking to a best friend who always has your back. Other times, it’s one that betrays what we truly need, driven by outside influence that creeps into self-assuredness.

Ask yourself, “Do I trust my own opinion?”

Even the most confident people stumble in their self-belief. The key is trusting our intuition when we know best and learning when to ask for and look for help outside of ourselves.

Your self talk matters. How you say what you say, verbally or internally, matters.

Learning to cultivate this conversation with ourselves is an important mental performance skill; don’t wait until you need your best (mental) self to show up to start to practice…do it right now. Positive self-talk, reaffirming your goals, and developing the willingness to work towards what you want in spite of inevitable challenges creates a mindset of resilience.

This is what the “best day ever” is all about, and it starts with that first conversation you have with yourself.

At the end of the day, tell yourself you’re going to get the job done, then go out and do it.