Friday Fix: Why Lebron James Talks to Himself in the Third Person (and Why You Should Too)

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Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern.

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Friday Fix: Episode 75

There’s a voice inside your brain that narrates everything throughout your day. We get so used to hearing that voice sometimes that we forget how much of a difference that voice makes in our lives.

The way you think affects how you feel and it affects how you behave.

One slight change to the way you think might make a huge difference in your life. 

If you’re like most people, you might think in the first-person. You tell yourself, “I have to go to the store,” or “I am going to mess up.”

But you may want to start using third person when you think—call yourself by your name or use your pronouns.

It’s something that NBA all-star Lebron James has demonstrated. And researchers think he’s onto something.

In today’s Friday Fix, I share why you might want to start talking to yourself in the third person and how it can help you make better decisions in your life. 

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By Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief
Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time.