I read somewhere (forget where now) that I needed to fire my inner critic and hire an inner coach. At first, the idea seemed kind of laughable. Then I realized I’ve been doing it for a little while now, and I’m glad.
Think of the conversation that happens inside your head all day long. People like me, with low self-esteem, tend to listen a lot to their inner Critic, that voice of negativity that tries to help you navigate life by protecting you. Only, it has a really bad way of protecting you.
The Critic likes to say the worst possible things to you, I guess as a means of settling your expectations, maybe buffering the things someone else might say to you externally. But the problem is, quite often, the worst thing doesn’t happen, but you earn the yucky feelings the Critic gives you just the same. No win, really.
Now, enter the Inner Coach. This is the voice you WISH you had in your head. It tells you lots of comforting and great things about what you’re doing, about your goals. It tells you that you’re really picking up the pace on your life. It says, “Wow, look at you NOW!” In fact, it says just about whatever you really need to hear, and it says so positively.
Instead of saying, “Man, I’m really bushed. My legs feel like lead. I can’t run this morning,” my Inner Coach will say, “Wow, you are really going to pick this up today. You’re going to move even better than your last run. Keep focused on the basics and the rest will come. Okay? Forget everything else. Think about how great your breathing is going.”
Yep, that coach does a great job. And, if you’re not really good at saying good or motivating things to yourself, borrow someone else’s coach for a while. Use inspirational quotes. Read about great people. Just incorporate it.
Don’t lie to yourself, but phrase everything as positively as you can. Instead of saying, “I can’t finish ten reps of this exercise,” try saying, “I’m really working here. I’ve got it. Just a few more. Three. Two. One. YES! I did it!”
I promise you this makes results. But why listen to me? It’s your head.
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