How to talk to yourself
Self-talk is a proven way to boost motivation, think clearly and process your emotions. These tips will help you use it well
by Maryellen MacDonald
Maryellen MacDonald is the author of More Than Words: How Talking Sharpens the Mind and Shapes Our World (2025). She is the Donald P Hayes Professor, Emerit, in the Department of Psychology and Program in Language Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has studied language production (talking), comprehension, and verbal working memory.
Written by Maryellen MacDonald