Why You Need to Tame Your Inner Critic to Succeed in Your Career

The inner critic is a voice that we all have within us. It is that nagging, negative voice that tells us we're not good enough, smart enough, or talented enough. It's that voice that makes us doubt ourselves and our abilities. However, it's important to recognize that this voice is not necessarily our friend, and it can hold us back from reaching our full potential. In this article, we'll explore some practical ways to tame your inner critic and reclaim your power.

I struggled with that inner critic for a long time and it held me back in many ways. But below are a few things I did to tame it.

Now I control the conversation, determine the narrative. I know I can hear inner critic say false things and don't have to count them as true. I'm well practiced and confident that I am stronger than that voice. Having power over the voice helps me develop empathy for other's struggle knowing - this too shall pass.

Recognize your inner critic

The first step in taming your inner critic is to recognize when it's speaking. The voice of the inner critic is often sneaky and can disguise itself as logic or reason. But with practice, you can learn to identify when it's speaking and differentiate it from your own true voice. Take note of the tone, language, and patterns of your inner critic. Are there specific triggers that set it off? Once you can recognize it, you can begin to take steps to tame it.

It can be helpful to name the inner critic. Whenever it is speaking, treat it as another voice other than your own. You can call it by name and ask it to be quiet or tell it now is not a good time, but later would be better if it really wants its needs addressed.

Challenge your inner critic

The next step in taming your inner critic is to challenge its negative thoughts. When you hear that voice telling you that you're not good enough or that you can't do something, pause and ask yourself if it's true. Chances are, it's not. Use logic and reason to counter its negative thoughts. For example, if your inner critic is telling you that you're not good enough for a promotion, ask yourself what evidence supports that claim. If you can't find any evidence, then it's likely your inner critic is just trying to hold you back.

You can also use it like a tool. There are times when it's a good thing. Know when that is and use it to your advantage. For example, most inner critics are there to protect us from harm - at least that's what they think they are doing. If you are in a dangerous or harmful situation, leverage the critical nature of the critic to help you out, but don't let it rule you. You are still in charge.

Practice self-compassion

Self-compassion is the practice of treating yourself with kindness and understanding, even when you make mistakes. When your inner critic is in full force, it can be easy to beat yourself up for every perceived flaw or mistake. But practicing self-compassion means acknowledging that you're only human, and that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process. Give yourself permission to be imperfect, and treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a close friend.

Use positive affirmations

Positive affirmations are statements that reinforce positive beliefs about yourself. They can be a powerful tool in taming your inner critic because they help to shift your focus away from negative self-talk. Make a list of positive affirmations that resonate with you and recite them to yourself daily. For example, "I am capable," "I am enough," or "I am worthy of success."

Surround yourself with positivity

Finally, surround yourself with positivity. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and encourage you, and seek out activities that make you feel good about yourself. Whether it's taking a yoga class, volunteering at a local charity, or spending time with loved ones, find ways to fill your life with positivity.

Taming your inner critic is a process that takes time and practice. But with patience and persistence, you can learn to recognize and challenge your negative self-talk, and replace it with positive beliefs and affirmations. Remember, you have the power to control your thoughts and beliefs, and to create a life that is filled with positivity and self-love. Climb this mountain and you'll be able to walk through doors in your career you never saw before because the critic kept them hidden.

Tame the critic...opportunities made.

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