5 Steps to Stop Your Inner Critic Taking the Power Over You

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Mastering Your Inner Critic for Personal and Professional Growth

Feeling held back by your inner critic? It’s a voice all too familiar to us, whispering doubts and fear, stunting our growth and potential. However, in this riveting session, we're going to explore how to constructively work alongside our inner critic, helping us achieve our dreams and ambitions.

Who Am I?

As a mom, wife, assistant engineer, and now the head of the audio delivery unit at Proceven, plus the host of “I am Antuana” podcast – I've worn many hats. Despite juggling these roles simultaneously, I've navigated a demanding career that spans over 20 years. My work – a blend of multiple industries and varied cultural settings – inspired me to create the Career Confidence Coach business for immigrant women. This venture aimed at aiding women who, like myself, had felt stuck at a certain point in their careers.

The Reality of Your Inner Critic

Let’s face it, negative self-talk can be detrimental. Constant doubts and fears can sabotage our progress professionally and personally. So, you'll be disappointed to hear – there's simply no way to eliminate your inner critic completely. However, what if we could reframe our viewpoint and see our inner critic as an ally, and not an enemy?

Your inner critic is simply trying to guard you - to shield you from criticism, rejection, questioning, or any form of deviation from your comfort zone. Once you begin to see it as a protective entity rather than an adversary, the narrative changes and the hold your inner critic has on you diminishes.

Five Steps to Co-existing With Your Inner Critic

After years of dealing with my inner critic, I’ve established an effective five-step process to better understand it and leverage it for personal and professional advancement.

  1. Acknowledge Them: Recognize your inner critic's presence. Be aware.
  2. Separate Yourself: Create a character for your inner critic. Understanding that you are not this critical voice is crucial in approaching your interactions with it objectively.
  3. Ask Questions: Interrogate your inner critic to understand their concerns. This includes using the 5 Why's technique to get to the bottom of their fears.
  4. Reframe Their Advice: As you gain clarity on your inner critic's worries, reframe their concerns in a positive, fact-based manner. Pairing small positive changes with constructive feedback ensures a productive dialogue with your inner critic.
  5. Consistency: Make a conscious effort to repeat these steps. Constant interaction with your inner critic will help minimize the analysis paralysis caused by it.

These steps help me reframe how I perceive my inner critic – as an ally rather than an opponent – a helpful tool in my professional and personal advancement.

In conclusion, reframing your relationship with your inner critic helps advance personal and professional growth. Remember, perfection is a myth, and every step toward your goal is a milestone worth celebrating. Let's silence the echoes of our inner critic and amplify our success stories!

Contact Me

Interested to learn more? Book a complimentary call with me or connect via LinkedIn. Whether you're looking for professional advice or striving to be an excellent guest on my podcast, I’d love to hear from you!


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