PRODUCER’S NOTE:  With a hat tip to Dan Ford, a former executive recruiter that John has known and respected for many years, today’s GotAMinute was inspired by one of Dan’s Instagram postings this weekend.  We all need to pause and think about the damage we do when we beat ourselves up.

I spent my news career in front of a typewriter, not a television camera. Hence, it is easy for me to become frustrated when I make mistakes mispronouncing words or when I fumble, mumble and stumble when recording the GotAMinute videos.  

It is only about 150 words; how hard can this be?  That usually leads to a stream of profanities in the privacy of my studio that almost always ends with me raking myself over the coals with descriptions I would never use in front of anyone.  I never feel better when I am done, and the noisy, denigrating display never improves my performance. 

“Here is the problem – when we spin off the rails and beat ourselves up, there is a price we mustpay:  Our mind is always listening.”  

Anonymous

Here is the problem — when we spin off the rails and beat ourselves up, there is a price we must pay:  Our mind is always listening.  

Now think about how you feel about yourself when you receive praise for your work.

We all need to practice positive self-talk.