Practice Positive Self-Talk

Transform your inner critic into an inner coach.

You might want to blame difficult colleagues, an unsupportive family member, time pressures and too much on your plate as the factors that hold you back from success in meeting goals, whether it’s pursuit of a new job or education opportunity or improving your physical fitness. But in my role as a career and professional development coach, I have discovered that what holds us back from success is often ourselves. That little voice in our heads may be more prone to creating self-doubt and insecurity than it helps us to seize opportunities and build on our capabilities. Listen carefully. Is your little voice making you miserable?

Most people can identify with having a nagging inner critic that perpetuates negative self-talk. What’s your reaction after an evaluation from your boss? Most of the meeting is filled with glowing praise, but there’s one small area for improvement. Do you leave the meeting pleased and proud about the achievements? Or do you find yourself ruminating on the constructive criticism for hours—maybe even days—allowing it to eclipse all the positivity of your accomplishments?

If this type of inner dialogue doesn’t ring true for you, great! But I invite you to keep reading to understand how negative self-talk is a reality for many people—and likely for some of those whom you supervise, as well as close friends and family members. (In her bestselling book, Playing Big, leadership expert Tara Mohr identifies inner critic issues as being especially prevalent among women.) And if the scenario does sound all too familiar? You, too, should read on for practical, research-based solutions designed to help you change your thinking patterns and adopt a coaching mindset that will help put that internal critic’s commentary into perspective and make it work for you, rather than against your aspirations...

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