5 Signs Your Inner Critic is Holding You Back

Listening to what many ambitious, high-achieving women tell me almost on the daily, literally breaks my heart.

Here are the 5 most common signs that your Inner Critic is holding you back from Leading with Confidence.

So, if you haven't been able to quite put your finger on why you've been feeling anything but unstoppable lately, one (or more) of these could be the reason...

#1 Perfectionism:

Do you find yourself hesitating to take action until everything is perfect? Perfectionism is often fuelled by the fear of failure.

It's far from the 'strength' that so many tout it as, it really is a productivity stealer and a time waster.

If you recognise yourself here - try remembering that perfectionism actually don't exist. Retain your high standards, yet try embracing progress, not perfection. By doing so, you'll feel less pressure to perform and you'll likely get way more done too!

#2 Overanalysing Decisions

Are you constantly second-guessing your decisions? Do you worry about making the wrong choice? Your inner critic may be amplifying self-doubt, making it difficult to trust your instincts and move forward confidently.

Confident Leaders weigh up the options taking into account the facts and the evidence they have vs. the objectives and make quick, yet informed decisions.

Be decisive, check the measures of success and play each scenario through to it's end point, choose the one that has the best possible outcome, communicate the vision and support the team to make it happen. If it's not quite right, you still get to pivot.

#3 Negative Self Talk:

Pay attention to the conversations you have with yourself. If your inner chatter is filled with self-criticism and doubt, your inner critic at having a field day!

Challenge these negative thoughts, you don't have to believe everything you think. You DO get to chose your thoughts and much much air time you give them. So if they are not serving you, replace them with something that does, like an affirmation of your worth and capabilities.

#4 Fear of Taking Risks:

Confident Leadership often requires taking calculated risks and stepping outside your comfort zone.

If you find yourself avoiding risks or playing it safe due to fear of failure, your inner critic may be holding you back from seizing opportunities for growth.

Remember that nothing grows inside your comfort zone, and that you can't be both a procrastinator and a confidence leader at the same time!

Challenge yourself to get comfortable being uncomfortable and watch yourself grow and thrive faster than you ever thought was possible!

#5 Seeking external validation:?

Finally, constantly seeking validation and approval from others to validate your worth.

While feedback is valuable, relying solely on external validation can indicate a lack of self-confidence driven by your inner critic's voice.

When you can validate your own self-worth, you don't need to rely on others to give you those vanity metrics, collect the likes and comments of praise for your great work. Start to trust yourself, collect the evidence that you are doing a great job and pat yourself on the back!

Recognising these signs is the first step toward silencing your inner critic and stepping into your power as a confident leader.

Remember, you are capable, deserving, and worthy of success.

If you resonate with any of these signs and are ready to overcome your inner critic, unlock your full leadership potential and achieve the success you deserve - reach out and let's have a chat! https://calendly.com/bethhocking/30min