Inner Critic to Inner Coach

“I can’t”…

…is a phrase I have used a lot across my working life. I have struggled with a nagging thought that I don’t have enough experience to be in my roles; preventing me from really putting myself out for new opportunities and feeling exhausted through over-preparation. I have been told a few times “you have so much potential but you always get in your own way through lack of confidence”. This has been caused by my self-limiting beliefs that I hold.

These limiting beliefs can appear at work at different times and by different triggers. If we take a few minutes out of our day and reflect on the words we use, we can hear our self-limiting beliefs show up:

“I can’t…”

“I must not…”

“I don’t have enough…”.

When we don’t identify and separate from this inner critic, we allow it to impact our behaviour at work. It can sabotage or hold us back from furthering our careers or our successes.

So how can we challenge this inner voice?

Notice it - label it - separate it

• Notice the language we use “I can’t”, “I must not”, “I don’t have enough”

• Identify what your inner critic voice is telling you

• Label what we hear

• Separate it - notice this thought process is separate from your real point of view (not a reflection of reality but a perspective you have taken based on internalised experiences)

• Create an action plan of what you want to do.

Other questions you can use to question your inner critic include:

• Is my negative thought true?

• Is my negative thought helpful?

If you are interested in understanding more about how coaching can help you manage self-limiting thoughts at work, please do get in touch: nicola@nicolabutcherpsychology.co.uk.

On the 19th October at 7.30pm, I am hosting a workshop ‘Inner Critic to Inner Coach’. Sign up here to attend: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/inner-critic-to-inner-coach-tickets-178158576097.