The person that’s stopping us from doing great work is often ourselves. Or, rather, our inner critic.

Apprehension, fear, insecurity, and all kinds of other negative feelings push back on us, causing us to doubt ourselves. “Don’t do or say THAT,” the inner critic whispers in our heads. “You’ll look foolish. People will see you’re not all that smart.” And on and on.

Here’s a way to work with your inner critic that takes just three minutes.

1.       Visualize your inner critic and give it a name.

2.       Write out an internal dialog between you and this inner critic character. Ask her/him/they:

• Why are you showing up now?

• What do you have to say to me?

• What can I learn from you?

It helps to put on a timer and just keep writing whatever comes. No editing or judging.  By exposing what’s in our way, we can more easily get it out of our way.

I learned this technique from award-winning performer and writer Ann Randolph, who Mel Brooks calls a genius” and I’ve used it with people in big companies. People love the aha’s they uncover for themselves.

I hope this might help you rebel against your inner critic and free you to do what you know you want to do.

Side note

I’m working on a creative book way outside my comfort zone. The project is so exciting and really frightening. To get unstuck, here’s the dialog I wrote with my inner critic, who I call Kevin.

Kevin, you little asshole. Why are you torturing me today? I was making progress and that you sat your pea-brained, townie self on my desk.

Well, you gotta be careful with what you're doing.

And where has being careful gotten you, Kevin? Not far, I'd say.

Whoa, whoa. Somebody's touch-touchy. This isn't about me sweetheart. I'm just a sounding board for you. I come here all friendly-like and you try to tear me a new asshole. Geeze.

I hate your Boston gutter talk, Kevin.

Yeah. Makes you know where you come from. You think you're Miss Fancy Pants executive, and like you're gonna be one of those creative writers too. Your biggest sin is that you're a fake. You're too scared to be real.

Stop, Kevin. Just stop. Yes, I know where I'm from. Yes, I didn't let it smother me. Unlike you, I got out, moved beyond your little world.

Oh, you're a brave girl, huh? Maybe that's what we can call you. Brave Girl, with her moccasins and bow and arrow.

You're ridiculous, Kevin. Is there anything I could ever learn from you?

Just relax, Brave Girl. Don't try so hard. We all know you're wicked smart. But be real. Stop overthinking everything, wondering what those assholes out there might say. You never used to give a shit and that made you kind of fun. We all liked you for that. Remember, it's no sin to be real, Brave Girl.