I think a lot of this is solid. Your mention of "confidence" stands out to me, perhaps because I'm currently reading Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. In this book - as well as lots of other places - it talks about how most people are actually a lot more confident - believe they are better than average - than is mathematically possible. :)
I think it's definitely true that a lot of people out there are sabotaging themselves with bad self-talk; yet it is also true that the majority of people are more confident about themselves than they realistically should be (at least regarding certain skills and behaviors).
It is an interesting paradox, and I wonder if there's a way to make sense of it.
Thanks for your input! I've been looking to read thinking fast and slow for a while. I'm on track for a goal to read 50+ books this year so I may have to include it into the list : )
Yeah, his name - and behavioral economics in general - have been popping up a lot in what I'm reading and listening too. Haven't finished the book yet, but I definitely recommend. Very detailed about common biases of thought.