Why is Positive Self-Talk Important for NEET Aspirants?

Hello future doctors. Preparing for the NEET is a very stressful journey, no doubt. The immense pressure to secure a seat in a GMC takes a toll on our mental health. It is difficult to stay positive and hopeful during this phase, I know it too.

But did you ever notice the impact that a positive environment can have? If not, let me take you through the benefits of positivity and a simple tip on creating it. Here’s the trick of positive self talk.

The Power of a Positive Atmosphere

Keeping the atmosphere around you positive is of a lot of importance. The environment you create for yourself plays a big role in shaping your mindset towards your study and dreams.

We often fail to realize how much what we say affects us. Negative self-talk has proven to decrease confidence and increase stress. This has been confirmed medically. Positive affirmations,  on the other hand, help you work more and work better.

So we start with cutting out all the negative things you say about yourself. Then we will go on believing that you can do it. 

Belief is Key

I know this sounds a lot like preaching and saying conventional words. But believe me when I say that ‘fake it till you make it’ works. It has worked for me.

I, too, didn’t believe in the power of positive self talk until I started practicing it. During my NEET preparation, I was also prone to a lot of negativity like anyone else. I used to sit alone and think that ‘This is not for me, I’m not made for this, I won’t be able to do it.’

I remember wanting to give up for a long time, much before NEET even came close. Now that I look back, I was actually in a good state study-wise. It was all these negative thoughts and words that were pulling me back from even trying to do my best.

Then I don’t know what changed, I think I watched a Ted-Ed Video talking about positive self-talk and decided that I was going to practice it. I thought that I’m not going to crack NEET anyway, let’s try out this stupid thing too. But it really changed my views about myself and my confidence.

Many toppers have also shared how they remained confident until the moment they stepped into the exam hall. Confidence equals better performance. By believing that you can do it, you are actually a step closer to success.

The Role of Positive Affirmations

I started the day by saying things like ‘I can do it.’ or ‘I can clear NEET.’ As stupid as it sounds, I used to stand in front of the mirror and look into my eyes when I said all these things.

Sometimes, it was borderline funny. My mother saw me doing this one day, and said that I’m going crazy. I replied with “Maybe I am, but this time I’m going crazy for the right thing.”

You don’t realize the impact that your view about yourself has on you. Of everyone around you, even if your parents aren’t supportive, and your friends laugh at you, nothing matters as much as self-image. 

Any other person’s views can be corrected over time. But the moment that you lose your self image and start viewing yourself as a loser, you will start behaving like one.

Analyze yourself

Whenever you feel like you are in a pitfall, sit down and take a deep breath first. Then try to understand what is going wrong. Instead of just bombarding yourself with negative self-take of ‘I knew it, I am a loser.’ Just try to reach the core of the problem.

Part of negative self-talk comes from the paradoxical belief that you cannot make mistakes. It is not black and white. You are not a failure if you make a mistake. Just understand that making mistakes is normal. The way to deal with them is to fix the mistake instead of cursing yourself for making the mistake in the first place. 

Mistakes can be a lot of things. If you get low marks in a mock test, it can be due to lack of understanding or lack of revision or silly mistakes or lack of proper time management. 

Whatever it is, understand, fix, move one with a ‘I can fix it. I will crack NEET.’ Do not dwell on it.

Surround Yourself with Positivity

It’s not just about your self-talk; the environment around you matters too. Ask your parents, friends, and peers to support you with positive affirmations too.

Or if they are not supportive, learn to cut them out of your mind. Identify that what they are saying is not the truth. Learn to maintain a boundary that they cannot breach. Keep your self image unaffected, regardless of what they say.

Never give up. It’s only the person that does not give up who cracks NEET. 

Conclusion

Positive self-talk and positive self-image are very important. You are what you think of yourself. So, learn to think of yourself as someone who can clear NEET and someone who is worthy of a lot of great things. 

Remember that a lot of people will say hurtful things. You need to filter them out and only keep what is necessary and let the rest go. Do not dwell on mistakes or words. 

Stay positive, and please try to trust yourself. Good luck!