by Yasawaii Saadiq, Founder of Third Eye Nubians 

Your thoughts are not just random whispers floating in your head—they are powerful commands shaping the direction of your life. Every day, the way you talk to yourself creates your reality. Positive words plant seeds of confidence, growth, and possibility, while negative words drain your energy and limit your potential. If you’ve ever wondered why some people seem to thrive while others stay stuck, one big factor is this: they’ve learned to control their thought process. This two-part series will explore how you can master your mind and transform your life. In Part 1, we’ll cover three foundational practices:  

  1. The Power of Self-Talk 
  2. Reprogramming the Mind 
  3. Focus & Discipline 

Step 1: Mastering the Power of Self-Talk

The words you speak to yourself matter more than the words anyone else speaks to you. Self-talk can be your greatest enemy or your strongest ally. Practical Steps:  

  • Awareness Exercise: For one full day, pay attention to what you tell yourself. Write down the top five things you notice—positive or negative. 
  • Shift the Narrative: Each time a negative phrase appears, flip it into a positive one. Example: Instead of “I can’t handle this,” say “I’m learning how to handle challenges with strength.” 
  • Daily Affirmations: Start your morning with three short, powerful affirmations in the present tense. For example:  
    • “I am disciplined.” 
    • “I am capable.” 
    • “I am unstoppable.” 

This may feel strange at first, but repetition programs your subconscious mind to believe—and eventually live—what you speak.  

Step 2: Reprogramming the Mind for Growth

Your mind works like a computer. If your “program” is full of outdated or negative beliefs, it will keep producing the same limited results. Practical Steps:  

  • Identify the Program: Ask yourself: What beliefs have I been repeating that no longer serve me? (Examples: “I’ll never be successful,” or “I’m just not good with money.”) 
  • Install New Beliefs: Replace those limiting statements with growth-oriented ones.  
    • Old belief: “I’m not good with money.” 
    • New belief: “I’m learning to master money management every day.” 
  • Visualization Drill: Every night before bed, close your eyes and picture yourself living these new beliefs. See yourself succeeding, thriving, and growing. The brain begins to accept what it repeatedly imagines. 

Step 3: Cultivating Focus & Discipline

Without focus, your energy is scattered. Without discipline, your goals stay dreams. Focus and discipline are the bridge between where you are and where you want to be. Practical Steps:  

  • The Distraction Audit: Write down your top three distractions (maybe it’s social media, TV, or procrastination). Create one boundary for each. Example: No phone for the first 30 minutes after waking up. 
  • Micro-Discipline Habits: Discipline isn’t built overnight—it’s built in small, consistent wins. Start with one simple habit: making your bed, drinking water before coffee, or reading for 10 minutes each day. 
  • The “One-Thing” Rule: Each day, choose the single most important task that will move your life forward. Do it before everything else. That one thing, done consistently, compounds into massive results. 

Closing Thoughts for Part 1

Your self-talk is the seed. Your beliefs are the soil. Your focus and discipline are the water and sunlight. When you align all three, growth becomes inevitable. In Part 2, we’ll explore two more life-changing practices: Visualization & Belief and Breaking Negative Cycles. These will help you lock in your transformation and ensure that once you break free, you never fall back into the old patterns again.