Today, I want to ask the question of what has your inner voice spoken to you about lately?
I know for me, there is always something brewing inside of me that says I could have done something better, or I need to do something different.
As we sometimes try to silence our inner voice, there are always ongoing streams of thoughts and feelings that can either keep us up at night or help us with some self-talk to quiet our minds.
Sometimes it’s not one thing; however, many things I have quickly realized, such as not to take things for granted and to trust my instincts.
When you read Inner Voice Psychology: The Power of Self Talk, you will find that “The whispers within our minds shape the very fabric of our lives, guiding our thoughts, emotions, and actions in ways we are only beginning to understand.”
Inner Voice Psychology: The Power of Self-Talk
I’m quickly reminded of the quote from Zig Ziglar that “Yesterday ended last night.” When you know and understand that the people who are standing in your way or slowing your progress are only temporary, you can silence your inner voice.
I recently spoke at a conference discussing one of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, written by Stephen R. Covey. Habit 1: Be Proactive, which is about taking responsibility for our lives.
It’s all about our circle of influence and our circle of concerns.
Things we can control and things we have no control over, respectfully.
Interesting that there are plenty of brain hacks to quiet our minds if we choose to use them.
A Neuroscientist Explains How to Quiet Your Mind and Find Some Peace
As one who reads about the brain and how it works, sometimes we must clear our heads or minds of all the noise we are receiving before going to sleep.
https://neurolaunch.com/how-to-turn-brain-off-to-sleep/
As mentioned earlier, I remind myself that yesterday ended last night. Particularly, when I wake up, I try very hard not to carry yesterday’s burden or troubles into the next day.
What about you? Are you keeping records of bad things?
I wrote a blog, “Don’t keep records of bad things,” last December, and it’s my reminder to let things go.
https://mckinleysthoughts.com/dont-keep-records-of-bad-things/
In understanding your inner voice, we must all realize that there is plenty of noise around us; however, we have the power to silence it.
I like the quote from Roy T. Bennett, in his book The Light in the Heart, which says, “You will never follow your own inner voice until you clear up the doubts in your mind.”
Knowing that we have no control over the Government, the Market, or Organizations, think about your Attitudes and Behaviors you are displaying every day for others to see.
What is your face saying about what you are thinking?
Yesterday was Mother’s Day 2025, and for those who still have the opportunity to hug your mother, consider that a blessing.
My mother is deceased and departed in December 2016.
In understanding my inner voice yesterday, I was reminded of those conversations we had about life and how proud she was of me.
It doesn’t have to be a special occasion for your inner voice to send thoughts, however, it’s how well you control them.
How we live our lives is up to us. How we control our thoughts is up to us.
What is your inner voice doing to help you live your best life?
Here are two quotes by the late Steve Jobs to remind you of your inner voice:
“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.”
“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” Steve Jobs
Today, I challenge you to take time and do some self-reflection on what your inner voice is telling you. “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” Vincent Van Gogh
Good Morning McKinley, Thank you for those thoughts. My inner voice often tells me that I could and should have done more or done thing differently. I understand those thoughts are not accurate and have to remind myself that what I do is enough.
Scott,
Greetings,
We all have those shoulda, woulda, coulda moments in our lives, me included. The question is looking back at what your inner voice was telling then, maybe you have that reminder the next time your inner voice speaks to you.
Thanks for adding value to today’s thoughts.
McKinley
Greetings CM, most internal thoughts are routine and practical. They often form a kind of mental operating system that helps us plan, prioritize, and function throughout the day. These thoughts may sound like: Don’t forget to take the trash out tonight. I’ll need to follow up on that email after lunch. Let me grab everything I need before I leave the house, etc. They’re not dramatic or deeply introspective most of the time—they’re functional. This inner dialogue is shaped by experience, habits, and environment, and it helps maintain order in our lives. Just saying!!!
Dr. Lovejoy,
What a blessing to hear from you. Great comments that I can’t dispute at all especially when I go a trip and I have other priorities still on my mind instead of relaxing. As far as taking the trash out a quick story. Each week in my neighborhood they pick up trash on Wednesday expect if there was a holiday earlier that week and then it’s Thursday. I learned a value lesson during a week of a particular holiday expecting trash to be picked up Thursday. As it turned out they came rolling through the neighborhood that Wednesday following the holiday. My inner voice said never will you get me twice and they haven’t.
CM