Today might be the time to challenge yourself. How many times, whether speaking to others, writing an essay, filling out an employment resume, do you use any of the words in today’s title? Isn’t it interesting how often those words come up in conversation. It may be that you simply want to help someone by sharing a personal experience that you’ve been through. It could be that your social circle is so small that you are limited in who you talk about. Perhaps you’re very proud of yourself to the point of being egotistical. Whatever the case, we all tend to refer to ourselves too often in conversation.

When we meet someone for the first time, it’s normal to expand on self in order for the other person to get to know something about you. If you tell them your entire life history, not only will you soon lose their attention, but they may actually fall asleep in your presence. When you’re filling out a job application, it can be difficult to list all the assets you can bring to the table. We don’t generally like to brag about ourselves. but is it bragging when what you can do to fill that job is precisely what’s necessary?

When you’re trying to impress someone, you tend to talk about things you excel at. When you are the center of the conversation all the time, you’re probably talking about yourself too much. It was recently suggested by an editor, that those self-words should be avoided as much as possible, because the reader may deem the author as arrogant. Something to think about for sure. Toby Keith wrote a song titled, “I wanna talk about me,” a while back. The words were sometimes comical but held a lot of truth. When involved in any conversation, it should not be one sided. Everyone has something to contribute and should be given the opportunity to do so.

We tend to throw ourselves into the limelight when it comes to social media. Of course everyone wants to put their best foot forward, but sometimes it best not to share everything. How about our prayer life? How many times do we use those self-words when approaching the throne of God? For example: Dear God, I need . . . or I want . . . or help me . . . give me. Get the picture? When we pray, we should first give thanks to the One we’re praying to. Then confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. Then we offer our petitions, pray for others and finally give honor and glory to God.

Try to do this for short time. Eliminate the self-words and focus on those you are talking to, writing to or praying for. It could make a huge difference in the way you actually see others and how they view you.