How to Override Your Inner Critic
Growing up, I always put my inner critic in the driver’s seat.
You see, I have this innate habit of looking around and comparing myself to the best: the smartest kid in my class, my brilliant boss and brightest colleagues, or - more recently - business owners who are further along than me…
Now, this tendency has served me in many ways - I’m ALWAYS looking for ways to grow and improve - and I believe that’s a huge reason that I am where I am today.
Buuuuuuut, it has also given my inner critic endless evidence of all the ways I’m not measuring up.
Sadly, I know I’m not alone.
This is something SO many of my clients struggle with, too.
I work with amazing, ambitious women who are talented, passionate and whip-smart - yet they focus on the reasons they’re “coming up short.”
If you’re nodding your head thinking “Yes!!!! This is so me!”
Hear me on this:
If you’re not careful, you inner critic will KILL YOUR DREAMS AND GOALS. She will take your dreams to the back of a seedy parking lot, have her friend hold her purse and smash those dreams to smithereens.
Your inner critic robs you of opportunities to put yourself out there and see what you’re really capable of.
And she’s the #1 reason we have regrets in life.
It’s time to override that inner critic. Here’s how:
Notice and observe what your inner critic is telling you. Hear the scripts your brain keeps repeating. Maybe you’re getting bombarded with thoughts like “I’m not as good as so-and-so,” “I’m not management material,” or “I’m not sure I have what it takes to run my own business.” The first step in overriding your inner critic is becoming aware of the thoughts she’s sending your way.
Understand your inner critic is actually trying to protect you. Believe it or not, the reason your brain sends you these thoughts is because it’s trying to keep you safe. Our brain likes certainty and efficiency. It likes to know what’s coming next. It likes wearing our favorite outfit, taking the same route to work, keeping the same job even if we’ve stopped loving it… because it’s comfortable. But this hard-wiring will keep us stuck in the same place for far too long if we let it.
Override your inner critic with counter evidence. When you find thoughts that aren’t serving you, find counter evidence. For example, maybe you want to present your work because it’s a good opportunity for visibility, but your inner critic tells you you’re a terrible public speaker. Counter evidence could sound like - “I’m a clear communicator. I can tell great stories. I have what it takes to be a great public speaker.”
With time and practice, these tips will help you move your inner critic from the driver’s seat…with control of the radio. And your final destination.
…to the back seat. Absorbed on her phone. Adding endless items to her Amazon cart.
You’re welcome.
