--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whatever you say to yourself, silently or…" description: "\"“Whatever you say to yourself, silently or aloud, tells your brain what to focus on. Simple!”\" — Sam Owen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/615/sam-owen-26871_brain_whatever-you-say-to-yourself-silently-or_1974118.jpg" --- # Whatever you say to yourself, silently or aloud, tells… ![“Whatever you say to yourself, silently or aloud, tells your brain what to focus on. Simple!” quote by Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/615/sam-owen-26871_brain_whatever-you-say-to-yourself-silently-or_1974118.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/615/sam-owen-26871_brain_whatever-you-say-to-yourself-silently-or_1974118.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/615/sam-owen-26871_brain_whatever-you-say-to-yourself-silently-or_1974118.jpg) > ““Whatever you say to yourself, silently or aloud, tells your brain what to focus on. Simple!”” [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑talk, whether silent or spoken, directs the brain’s attention, shaping focus and outcomes. **In simple terms:** Self‑talk guides focus. Key Takeaway Use positive self‑talk to steer attention product. Themes psychology focus self‑talk Mood motivational practical Type self‑help cognitive. When to use this quote - study sessions - athletic training - public speaking - stress management Key Concepts cognitive conditioning neuroplasticity Questions to Reflect On - What phrases do you repeat to yourself? - How can you replace limiting thoughts with empowering ones? A Different Perspective Negative self‑talk can reinforce anxiety if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Brain Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain-focus-3331958/) [Brainy-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brainy-quotes/) [Focus Simple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus-simple-3331959/) [Life lessons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-lessons/) [Resilience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resilience/) [Resilient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resilient/) [Say Silently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-silently-3331960/) [Silently Aloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silently-aloud-3331961/) [Tells Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tells-brain-1843616/) [Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts/) ## Related quotes > [“Don’t breathe on my voice, I yelled through my ears. But who’s there to listen, when you’re all alone and wearing earplugs. It’s true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/don-t-breathe-on-my-voice-i-yelled-through-my-ears-but-who-s-there-to/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [It's a nice way to put the focus back on this simple act... if someone creates you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-boyle/it-s-a-nice-way-to-put-the-focus-back-on-this-simple-act-if-someone/) [Danny Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-boyle/) > [I took to it very quickly. I'm very imaginative anyway, and it just set off that part of my brain. It made me focus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-haysbert/i-took-to-it-very-quickly-i-m-very-imaginative-anyway-and-it-just-set/) [Dennis Haysbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-haysbert/) > [“What this tells us is that the brain doesn't merely prefer certainty over ambiguity—it craves it. Our need to be right is actually a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-disalvo/what-this-tells-us-is-that-the-brain-doesn-t-merely-prefer-certainty/) [David DiSalvo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-disalvo/) > [I guess for me, I've always lived in the moment, so I don't allow my brain to focus too far head. I'm a fly-by-the-seat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-griffey-jr/i-guess-for-me-i-ve-always-lived-in-the-moment-so-i-don-t-allow-my/) [Ken Griffey Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-griffey-jr/) > [It's a constant battle between what your heart tells you, and what your brain tells you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dat-phan/it-s-a-constant-battle-between-what-your-heart-tells-you-and-what/) [Dat Phan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dat-phan/) > [“Keep it simple and focus on 4-5 simple retail/consumer small cap stocks!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mika/keep-it-simple-and-focus-on-4-5-simple-retail-consumer-small-cap/) [Mika](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mika/) > [“When the goal is one we motivated to achieve we automatically become motivated to change our attitude or outlook.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/when-the-goal-is-one-we-motivated-to-achieve-we-automatically-become/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“It’s as though our bodily sensations have voices if we tune in to what they have to say.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/it-s-as-though-our-bodily-sensations-have-voices-if-we-tune-in-to/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“Marriage is powerful because even if we have no one else, we still have a built-in support ‘network’ (because spouses fulfil so many different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/marriage-is-powerful-because-even-if-we-have-no-one-else-we-still/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“We’re becoming impatient and lazy and we’re allowing this to shape our approach to our relationships. But successful relationships aren’t handed over on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/we-re-becoming-impatient-and-lazy-and-we-re-allowing-this-to-shape/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“Spending time alone in your own company reinforces your self-worth and is often the number-one way to replenish your resilience reserves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/spending-time-alone-in-your-own-company-reinforces-your-self-worth/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“We have to give our brain permission to search for, and find, answers. This permission comes in the form we talk to ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/we-have-to-give-our-brain-permission-to-search-for-and-find-answers/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“Your words are steering your life; they are your hands on the steering wheel of your life, moving it left, moving it right, driving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/your-words-are-steering-your-life-they-are-your-hands-on-the-steering/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“Sleep is our recharge function and our reset button...and we all need a reset button sometimes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/sleep-is-our-recharge-function-and-our-reset-button-and-we-all-need-a/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) ## More by Sam Owen > [“Sleep is our recharge function and our reset button...and we all need a reset button sometimes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/sleep-is-our-recharge-function-and-our-reset-button-and-we-all-need-a/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“Your words are steering your life; they are your hands on the steering wheel of your life, moving it left, moving it right, driving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/your-words-are-steering-your-life-they-are-your-hands-on-the-steering/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“When people seem angry, sometimes they are simply upset and hurting. Asking the right questions helps them to work through it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/when-people-seem-angry-sometimes-they-are-simply-upset-and-hurting/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“Jealousy of another means you need to work on making you proud of yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/jealousy-of-another-means-you-need-to-work-on-making-you-proud-of/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“We have to give our brain permission to search for, and find, answers. This permission comes in the form we talk to ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/we-have-to-give-our-brain-permission-to-search-for-and-find-answers/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“It’s as though our bodily sensations have voices if we tune in to what they have to say.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/it-s-as-though-our-bodily-sensations-have-voices-if-we-tune-in-to/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“We are responsible for our own relationships, their successes, their failures, the good times, the bad times. Take responsibility for creating the relationships that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/we-are-responsible-for-our-own-relationships-their-successes-their/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“When the goal is one we motivated to achieve we automatically become motivated to change our attitude or outlook.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/when-the-goal-is-one-we-motivated-to-achieve-we-automatically-become/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“Marriage is powerful because even if we have no one else, we still have a built-in support ‘network’ (because spouses fulfil so many different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/marriage-is-powerful-because-even-if-we-have-no-one-else-we-still/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“We’re becoming impatient and lazy and we’re allowing this to shape our approach to our relationships. But successful relationships aren’t handed over on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/we-re-becoming-impatient-and-lazy-and-we-re-allowing-this-to-shape/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“Spending time alone in your own company reinforces your self-worth and is often the number-one way to replenish your resilience reserves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/spending-time-alone-in-your-own-company-reinforces-your-self-worth/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“Emotion-regulation leads to life-regulation”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/emotion-regulation-leads-to-life-regulation/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“People help keep us alive, well and resilient, they're worth seeking out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/people-help-keep-us-alive-well-and-resilient-they-re-worth-seeking-out/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“Use communication to own your worth and show others theirs, to repair broken bridges and show you care.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/use-communication-to-own-your-worth-and-show-others-theirs-to-repair/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) > [“Your subconscious mind is paying attention to how you treat yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/your-subconscious-mind-is-paying-attention-to-how-you-treat-yourself/) [Sam Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) [Explore all 21 Sam Owen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/) ## More Brain quotes > [The brain abhors discrepancies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vilayanur-s-ramachandran/the-brain-abhors-discrepancies/) [Vilayanur S. Ramachandran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vilayanur-s-ramachandran/) > [In some circles where very heavy people think they have very heavy brains, words like "charming" and "clever" and "pretty" are all put-downs; all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/in-some-circles-where-very-heavy-people-think-they-have-very-heavy/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [down with ought with because with every brain that thinks it thinks nor dares to feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/down-with-ought-with-because-with-every-brain-that-thinks-it-thinks/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To explicate the uses of the Brain seems as difficult a task as to paint the Soul, of which it is commonly said, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-willis/to-explicate-the-uses-of-the-brain-seems-as-difficult-a-task-as-to/) [Thomas Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-willis/) > [I prefer the word 'musician.' I'm a musician and a composer. I have a problem with the word 'artist.' I don't know if it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stromae/i-prefer-the-word-musician-i-m-a-musician-and-a-composer-i-have-a/) [Stromae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stromae/) > [Thinking of sex provides enough mental stimulation to reduce risk of diseases that damage the brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/thinking-of-sex-provides-enough-mental-stimulation-to-reduce-risk-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My writing routine is: get son off to school and sit down at 8 A.M. I read what I wrote the day before, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chevalier/my-writing-routine-is-get-son-off-to-school-and-sit-down-at-8-a-m-i/) [Tracy Chevalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chevalier/) > [The reason I'm drawn to it is - both the off road racing and the motorcycles on the track - it takes a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dax-shepard/the-reason-i-m-drawn-to-it-is-both-the-off-road-racing-and-the/) [Dax Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dax-shepard/) > [Without illusions. I love you because you are fallible and because your poor misguided testosterone-corrupted brain has you doing cartwheels trying not to be.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-gerard/without-illusions-i-love-you-because-you-are-fallible-and-because/) [Cindy Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-gerard/) > [being asked to decide between your passion for work and your passion for children was like being asked by your doctor whether you preferred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-bevington/being-asked-to-decide-between-your-passion-for-work-and-your-passion/) [Helen Bevington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-bevington/) > [I was told I had brain damage. I always knew it was an unfair label. Now I have a clearer understanding of what's wrong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-boyle/i-was-told-i-had-brain-damage-i-always-knew-it-was-an-unfair-label/) [Susan Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-boyle/) > [The act of learning to read added an entirely new circuit to our hominid brain's repertoire. The long developmental process of learning to read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maryanne-wolf/the-act-of-learning-to-read-added-an-entirely-new-circuit-to-our/) [Maryanne Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maryanne-wolf/) > [I can't let fear kill my creative brain. Fear is the killer. Your bad choices come from fear. And I'm constantly combating fear. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-can-t-let-fear-kill-my-creative-brain-fear-is-the-killer-your-bad/) [Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/) > [I am the way I am. If you like me because I'm glamorous, so be it. If you like me, because I speak well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malaika-arora-khan/i-am-the-way-i-am-if-you-like-me-because-i-m-glamorous-so-be-it-if/) [Malaika Arora Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malaika-arora-khan/) [Browse all 8,465 Brain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Whatever you say to yourself, silently or aloud, tells your brain what to focus on. Simple!”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sam Owen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/whatever-you-say-to-yourself-silently-or-aloud-tells-your-brain-what/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Brain" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/whatever-you-say-to-yourself-silently-or-aloud-tells-your-brain-what/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/615/sam-owen-26871_brain_whatever-you-say-to-yourself-silently-or_1974118.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/615/sam-owen-26871_brain_whatever-you-say-to-yourself-silently-or_1974118.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/615/sam-owen-26871_brain_whatever-you-say-to-yourself-silently-or_1974118.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Whatever you say to yourself, silently or aloud, tells your brain what to focus on. Simple!” — Sam Owen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sam Owen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-owen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Whatever you say to yourself, silently...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/whatever-you-say-to-yourself-silently-or-aloud-tells-your-brain-what/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-owen/whatever-you-say-to-yourself-silently-or-aloud-tells-your-brain-what/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```