You’ve heard it before..
That we can be our own worst enemy
And, maybe you’re experiencing it right now
Struggling to turn down or turn off the negative voice inside your heard
Telling you that you aren’t ready, that you aren’t worthy or qualified
Telling you that maybe you just aren’t good enough
Telling you that you don’t have what it takes, that you should give up and try something else.
It sucks having to battle negative thoughts when you’re trying to pursue BIG + IMPOSSIBLE looking dreams. You know it’s possible.. But, then those negative thoughts bombard your mind and you feel like maybe it’s possible for everybody but YOU.
I know what it’s like. I’ve been there so many times. But, one thing I can definitely say, is that it has gotten EASIER to WIN the challenges my inner critic presents to me, because of a few things that I starting doing and continue to do on the regular.
Today, I want to share with you practical things that you can do to silence your inner critic.
“Your inner critic re-affirms untruths about yourself that you have internalized to be true.”
1
Understand your inner critic. Recognize your inner critic for what IS and what it can be. For most people, the inner critic comes as a form of self-sabotage. It can transform into low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. Often, it leaves us feeling unworthy and less than qualified. However, your inner critic CAN be a tool that YOU use to internally CRITIQUE your actions and progress. Use it to your benefit to INVEST in yourself and in your personal growth and development. I believe that we should always remain in a state of humbleness that will allow us to see our failures and mistakes as opportunities to LEARN and therefore grow and evolve as people. Allow your inner critic to work for you rather than against you.
2
Understand the POWER that you have over your inner critic. SHIFT your perspective of your inner critic and use it to you ADVANTAGE. Whenever you make a mistake or identify an imperfection, shift your perspective to see if as a learning opportunity to evolve and grow as person. See, it as an opportunity to attract people, opportunities and experiences to you that are ideal FOR you.
3
Understand WHO you are and who God has created you to be.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Psalms 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
4
Affirm yourself – Write and speak positive affirmations daily.
5
Be mindful of what you feed yourself; physically and mentally. What you allow yourself to entertain on a consistent basis is what will water the seeds that have already been planted. It’s up to you to uproot the weeds and plant better seeds. It’s up to you to water them with positivity, which comes in many forms, and is not simply an affirmation.
6
Practice positive self-talk. You are the story you tell yourself. What you tell yourself everyday will either lift you up or tear you down. Empower yourself!
7
Analyze and compare who you compare yourself to. The persons or businesses you may compare yours/yourself to may not be the same as those you look up to, learn from or idolize. If your perception of them causes you to belittle who you are and what you are capable of, it may be toxic to your mindset. You can take action by un-following or limiting the amount of exposure you have to them/it.
8
Be patient with yourself. Walk yourself through the process of SHIFTING your mindset by: Redirecting your thoughts which is done by changing what you focus on consistently. And then, practice positive self-talk by affirming yourself. “Respond to it’s (inner critic) grievances from a detached perspective” (Psychology Today, Jenna E Pincott, 3/2019). Even if you’re doubting yourself or don’t FEEL it, speak it aloud – quote the affirmation with conviction and authority! This is how you affirm yourself.
9
Keep going! Your inner critic only has the power that YOU give it. So, acknowledge it, use it to your advantage and don’t give up on yourself. Keep going! Learn from the experience and try again.
Make moves to silence your inner critic BEFORE your inner critic presents a challenge.
Implementing and practicing the tips shared above, on a consistent basis, will allow you to more easily and effectively combat your inner critic when it comes to challenge you.
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