We all have an inner critic.
You know, that voice in your head that tells you you’re not good enough, smart enough, or capable enough.
But here’s the truth: you can silence that critic and boost your self-esteem.
Your inner critic is the source of self-doubt. It tells you you’re going to fail before you even start. Over time, this negative self-talk can destroy your confidence and self-esteem.
Here’s how to silence that inner critic:
Step 1: Catch the negative thought. When your inner critic starts, take a mental note of the thought. For example, “I’m not good enough for this job.”
Step 2: Challenge the thought. Ask yourself, “Is this really true? What evidence do I have that supports this?”
Step 3: Replace the thought with a positive affirmation. Once you’ve challenged the negative thought, replace it with something positive, like, “I am capable, and I have skills that make me valuable.”
Negative self-talk thrives when left unchecked. By catching, challenging, and replacing these thoughts with positive affirmations, you retrain your brain to think more positively, which in turn boosts your self-esteem.
Next time your inner critic shows up, use the Challenge and Replace technique. You’ll find that with practice, you can silence the negativity and build a stronger, more confident mindset.