Today I literally cried because I decided to write down what my inner critic thought of me when I looked in the mirror. I cried because I realised that I share my body and my life with an entity which continuously judges me, puts me down, and predicts the most catastrophic and horrible future for me. Then I watched a few videos about an inner critic but this one is really different, powerful and inspiring. I love it!
Same experience here!! The self criticism has become self sabotage throughout these few years for me which I think my inner critic has almost overshadowed or conquered me which left me in a suffocating state. A few videos about inner critic brought me here and I’m now going to draw and write down the inner beast in me!
Steve! This is great. I spontaneously applauded with the audience and then realised you wouldn't hear (then my inner critic told me not to be stupid). I love your cartoons too (and the puppet).
I keep coming back to this video time and again.Painful as it is at times to watch - my own inner critic is very strong - it is ultimately hopeful. encouraging me to see how my own anxiety and self doubt can be the fuel for my growth and happiness.
Steve this an excellent, thought provoking and stimulating talk - thank you! Great to bring light to the inner critic we all have - and you do this wonderfully!
Phenomenal TALK!!! So glad Seth Godin shared it. This "inner critic" is what stifles so many people (including me sometimes) from stepping out on the fringes and doing something the world has never seen.
So true. We are not taught in to believe in yourself. As long we do or behave with integrity and honest ethics just do it ! Beautiful amazing talk. Thank you. bless you. All your dreams come true.
I believe that the inner critic originates from the imagination and can therefore be altered at will. It is a response to internal or external stimulii (especially where verbal communication does not happen). I have found that by creating imaginary friends, they can help to counter the negative dialogue, that I can change my mood and that affects the dialogue. Mantras and word associations are also quite good, as once the critic begins, my mind will create a joke, which will make me laugh. Another way to manage them, is to remember a time when I was relaxed and happy. All these things have helped and can be difficult to do at first, but time like learning a sport, they become second nature. Amost to the point, where I can be unaffected by the for most of the day. If anybody has any other techniques I'd love to hear from you.
I know myself and best friend has dealt with this same inner voice. Meditation has helped us be able to observe and notice these thoughts, and when it arrives. This has helped a lot. Helps to get to have more control over these thoughts. As well as watching motivational videos, I feel the voice hardly exits now. Good luck on taming the lion.
Out of all the inner critic talks and articles, this one rings the bell to me. Uncover your inner critic, bring it to the light and have a relationship with it. I will practice this and hopefully succeed in my life long battle with an inner critic that tells me I am not good enough like others which stems from my parent's upbringing. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Completely out of the blue, I burst into tears at 6:28, and had to pause the vid and mourn my younger self for all the pain and frustration and sadness he had experienced, as a fellow young boy who allegedly "didn't try hard enough or make enough effort." I was diagnosed with ADHD relatively early in life, but the implications of that diagnosis were still very obscure to everyone: my parents, teachers, guidance counselors, and of course myself. That had been the constant refrain. And it's such a hard narrative to shake.
Steve, thoroughly enjoyed and identified with your talk. When you taught me in the MSc I will never forget when you said "if you are going to fail, fail big, it is so much more interesting". It helped me enormously and I often remember this when self-doubt creeps in.Danela Ezekiel
Wonderful creativity and perspective. I believe one of the many lessons is to not let constructive feedback/bad news empower the Inner Critic. Was Kevin's feedback valid?
Love it Steve, very powerful but simple stuff which you deliver in a very thought provoking way...now off to wrestle and tame my inner critic...again...
My inner critic did not speak until I was 55 and it was drug induced took me about 5 seconds to discredit it. Simplistic, trite and 3rd person... the opinion of others are your opinions if you believe them. I do not take a statement as a matter of fact I want it backed up by a reason and the inner critic cannot provide reasons only throw shade. So, ya goof on your inner critic every chance you get ... try when it criticises take its position and exaggerate it ad absurdum it looses its effective when you show how much better you are at the job than the critic. Like by giving this ted talk you will catch cancer and die so will the entire audience.
Steve, your talk and experiences made me cry. Of joy! Because you gave me the tools I needed to talk and connect with my inner critic in a manner that is more sincere and close to my heart. Thank you! I also have to give a talk about our inner critic and this talk was what I needed. Keep talking to your inner self and also critics and come back and share with us.