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Switch off your inner critic

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Your inner Critic is the voice inside your head that judges and criticises you. Instead of allowing you to reflect on a mistake or poor outcome and directing you to how you can improve, this self-talk generates negative attitudes about yourself that dampen your mood, emotions, self-confidence and self-esteem

Here are some tips on how you can switch off your inner critic.

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1

Positive self-talk. Every morning and evening look yourself in the eye in the mirror and tell yourself how wonderful you are. Say it with conviction, otherwise you won’t believe it.

2

Positive affirmations. Have a variety of short punchy powerful statements about yourself beginning with ‘I am…’. These are called affirmations. They build confidence and self-respect and fire up happy chemicals in the brain.

3

Seek feedback. Ask someone you love or respect to tell you what you do well. Take the positives and think about them.

4

Use a coach. Have a work or life coach to work on building your confidence. The stronger your confidence, the quieter your Inner Critic’s voice will become.

5

Mirror others. Identify the qualities you admire in others. It’s likely that you have them yourself – they might be buried under negative thinking.

6

Keep a diary. Each day record three things that you have done well that day. Review it regularly and allow the positive feelings to envelop you.

7

Practice positive behaviours. Ideas include smiling at people, mixing with positive people, celebrating success and achievements.

8

Study mindfulness. Practice daily. This will train you to reduce the chatter by moving the mind away from the past or the future, to the here and now.

9

Share your thoughts. Share with a trusted friend, colleague or family member. Ask them to be honest and ask for advice.

10

Clear those negative thoughts. Take a deep breath and at the same time imagine wrapping your thoughts up in a piece of paper. As you breathe out, throw the paper in the bin.

Learn more about dealing with an inner critic in my best-selling book, ‘How to Prevent Burnout’.

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