Rewrite Your Inner Critic’s Story of You With This Simple Strategy

In the journey of leadership and professional growth, our inner critic often acts as an unwelcome narrator, weaving stories of doubt and limitation. But what if I told you that you hold the pen to rewrite these narratives?

Enter the ARC Method, a transformative approach designed to empower ambitious professionals like yourself to challenge old narratives, embrace new perspectives, and craft stories of resilience and success. You can be your own screenwriter.

Challenging Perceptions: Why We Need the ARC Method

Before diving into the ARC Method, it's crucial to understand why this approach matters. The stories our inner critic tells us often go unchallenged, shaping our self-perception and limiting our potential. Let's challenge some common perceptions:

Perception 1:

The stories the inner critic tells of our failings—such as being too tired to exercise or not being as good as someone else—are stories, not facts.

Perception 2:

The reason our inner voice is so detailed with what's not right about us is that we let it talk negatively without interruption. However, neuroscientists have proven that we can disrupt these neural pathways by being conscious of them.

Perception 3:

Changing how we talk to ourselves can signi?cantly alter how we feel about ourselves. Loads of evidence-based research show that conscious and consistent positive self-talk improves self-perception and well-being.

Introducing the ARC Method: Access, Reframe & Create

Access: Identify and acknowledge your inner critic's narratives.

Reframe: Challenge and rewrite these negative narratives.

Create: Develop and embrace new, empowering stories

Introducing the ARC Method: Access, Reframe & Create

The aim of the ARC Method is to turn the ‘critic’ into a ‘catalyst…urm what Asha?

Step 1: Access: Identifying the Inner Critic's Narratives

Imagine your inner critic as a nosy neighbour who loves to gossip about your every perceived ?aw. The ?rst step is to tune into these whispered stories and recognize them

for what they are—just stories, not facts. These tales often spotlight your supposed shortcomings and failures, but neuroscience has shown that our brains can change by consciously interrupting these negative thought patterns. By shining a light on these automatic thoughts, you can start to disrupt their power over you.

Action Step: Imagine you're the host of a True Crime Podcast, investigating the gossip your inner critic spreads. Note down every mean thing you hear. Build a dossier of opinions, hearsay, and judgment. It might sound dramatic, but if you want to take that critic down, start by becoming aware of its narratives.

Step 2: Reframe: Challenging and Reshaping the Narratives

Now that you’ve caught your inner critic in the act, it’s time to play the role of a savvy editor. Question the validity of your inner critic's claims. Look for exaggerations like "You never..." or "No one ever..." and ?nd evidence that disproves these negative beliefs. Remember, your inner critic's narrative isn’t fact—as the editor, you have the right to challenge and revise it to be more accurate and empowering.

Action Step: For each negative thought you’ve identi?ed, ask yourself: "Is this really true? What evidence do I have that contradicts this thought?" Write down these counterarguments as if you were editing a ?awed manuscript, crafting a more balanced and uplifting story.

Step 3: Create: Crafting a New, Empowering Narrative

The ?nal step is where you become the novelist of your own life. This means replacing negative thoughts with positive stories—a?rming words or sentences that highlight your strengths and potential. Instead of thinking, “I’m not good enough,” shift to, “I’m capable and continually improving.” This new narrative will inspire and motivate you, turning your inner critic into a source of encouragement.

Action Step: A?rmations might not be for everyone, but they work because they’re simple and memorable. If a?rmations aren't your style, try visualising yourself in a more positive light or telling a di?erent story. For example, say to yourself: "Today, I am building my business. I'm connecting with people, I have a calendar full of meetings, and by the end of today, I will have moved further forward than yesterday." Each new story you tell builds towards a more con?dent and empowered you. You can rewrite your story in a way that re?ects your true strengths and potential.

Turning the Critic Into a Catalyst

Think of the ARC Method as a way to shift your inner critic from a negative force to a source of empowerment. It won’t happen overnight, but it helped me grow in con?dence and self-worth. By challenging your inner critic, you can start to see your true potential.

If you want to give it a go, I’ve got a cheat sheet and a worksheet waiting for you

Personal Note: While it won’t silence the critic overnight, I’ve found that it helps diminish its power over time. This method helped me grow more con?dent in my abilities and worth. The key idea is that the inner critic thrives in the shadows. By bringing your insecurities into the light and challenging them, you can start to quiet the critic and embrace your true potential.

My name is Asha Ghosh, and I coach leaders to find out how they can thrive and be impactful and find new ways to succeed whilst having clear boundaries with their team, their home life and most importantly their wellbeing.

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