Source: William Goosby / Ebony J Media LLC
Have you been afraid to ask for that promotion? Are you having a hard time getting started on that great novel? Perhaps you’ve been thinking about starting your own business. But just as you feel you are fired up enough to make that move, a soft inner voice in your head whispers “you can’t do that.” Or perhaps the voice is screaming “why even try?”
Your Inner Critic
There is that inner critic in each one of us that could cause one’s bright future to become dim and mundane. It is like that mother instinct that panics and goes into gear when little Tommy darts into the street or runs with a stick. Your inner “mother” worries about the challenges and the goals before you also. Very often, that pessimistic voice creates just enough doubt that you become convinced that you cannot do “it”, whatever the “it” happens to be.
Fear Will Sabotage You
Obviously, there are times when listening to your ‘gut’ instinct is very valuable. However, what is perceived as a gut instinct can sabotage your idea even before it gets off of the ground, a victim of fear of failure or rejection. So, the question is “How can you subdue your inner critic so that you can move on and achieve your goals and dreams?”
Befriend Your Inner Voice
It is important to remember that your inner voice is not going anywhere, so you’d better befriend it. What you must do is listen to your inner voice. Give it a complete hearing writing down the negative and the positive dialogue as well. Write it all down. Next, you write out how you feel about these thoughts. Ignore the negative thoughts, or reframe them so they become positive. Now, list these thoughts with a focus on the positive.
Reprogram Your Mind
Write short one sentence phrases of no more than 10 words. As you write these phrases, focus on your best qualities. Then read these affirmations aloud daily. Tack them on your mirror, your night table or wherever you will see them daily. Read your positive affirmations no less than twice daily, upon rising and before you retire for the night. In this manner you will reprogram your subconscious mind to reframe your inner critics messages as positive affirmations rather than constant negative messages.
Don’t Worry Be Happy
To put it simply, if you are to live a happier, more harmonious and abundant life, it is important for you to understand that you will attract that which is like your dominant way of thinking. This is not a new idea–you attract what you think. By embracing this theory and practicing on a daily basis, you will more easily achieve your goals and you will not allow negative thinking to lead your life.
Challenge those “inner voices.” Choose to be successful and happy. Change your negative thinking to positive. If you do, and I know you can, it will have an impact on every aspect of your life. You may not write the next great American novel tomorrow, but you will certainly be a more pleasant person to be around. Have a success-full week. “I’ll see you at the top.”
* J Thomas Smith is host of “Sunday Morning Live” on KMJQ/Majic 102.1 (9-11 am). He is an attorney, author, keynote speaker and mental health consultant. Your comments are welcome: jtsmith@radio-one.com. Follow on Twitter @drjtsmith102.
