The Power of Momentum to Silence the Inner Critic
Momentum is essential to changing any habit and achieving goals. Momentum, in this case, is the combined forward actions that build upon each other. As that force continues to move, it gets stronger. That’s why, once you start something new and practice it regularly, it becomes easier. Read more below about the power of momentum to silence the inner critic.
Take a Few Baby Steps and Watch Your Inner Critic Disappear
Shutting up your inner critic can feel like a monumental task. This is especially true if you’ve spent a lifetime giving into and believing this negative self-talk. Breaking through internalized beliefs and ingrained habits is one of the toughest things to do. That’s why so many of us simply give up on making changes. Whether it’s going to the gym or silencing your inner bully, ditching old habits is something that isn’t easy. As with most difficult tasks, though, quieting your inner critic can be made simpler when you break it down into small chunks. Take a few baby steps, and you’ll start to notice your inner critic disappear.
· Baby Steps are Less Stressful
Baby steps are an excellent way to overcome the hurdle of approaching an intimidating task. Trying something new, taking a risk, or making a life change are all really big deals. It’s no wonder so many of us let our inner critic talk us out of these types of things. It’s scary to think about trying such mammoth endeavors. But it’s okay. Calm down. Breathe. There’s a better way to help you push past your internal dialogue and do the scary thing. Break it down into small steps for reaching the ultimate goal. Doing so makes the task much more manageable. While going to school for four years to learn a new trade can seem like too much, it’s not that difficult to make an appointment to talk to an admissions representative at the school you’re interested in.
· Some Progress is Better Than None
Using the above example, once you’ve made that appointment to meet with your institution of interest, you’ll probably learn a great deal about the program. You’ll be given an outline of what’s required to be accepted, enroll, and complete it. Chances are good it won’t look as scary once you have some real information. The unknown is what your inner critic preys upon. After you’ve accomplished this step, your goal will seem more attainable. Each bit of progress you make brings you closer to your intended goal. Keep that in mind as you work on gaining momentum in silencing your inner critic.
Small Successes Build
When you start to confront your inner critic and work to change your self-talk, you’re exerting a new force in your life. Just as it becomes easier to move an object once you get some force behind it and build momentum, new habits such as dealing with your inner meanie will also become easier once you start. It’s those first early steps that are the trickiest. Each time you manage to reframe your self-talk, you build upon the success of the last. The process is more likely to continue as these small successes build momentum to silence the inner critic.
Confidence Grows
With success comes confidence. The more times you conquer that negative voice in your head that’s trying to hold you back, the more confident you become that you can do it again. Fear of the unknown plays a role here. If you’ve never done something, it’s going to seem more intimidating. That’s why overcoming your inner critic can be so incredibly difficult. It thrives on your fear and insecurity. Confidence is also a powerful weapon against your inner critic.
Progress Creates Momentum
Having a few baby steps under your belt will increase your confidence. Soon, that next step won’t seem nearly as scary as the whole big goal initially felt at the beginning of your pursuit. Once you begin making progress toward your final task, you’ll feel motivated to keep going. The first step is almost always the hardest. Taking baby steps is easier. These small steps add up to big things.
Baby steps can be your best friend when it comes to overcoming that inner critic of yours. Give this technique a try the next time you tell yourself you can’t. With each small step, you’ll begin to recognize that you can.
Momentum Increases Commitment
Once you’ve begun to gain confidence in overcoming negative self-talk, you get better at doing it. After several successful bouts of determining truth from fiction and reframing your thoughts, you start to see it’s not as difficult as you once thought. As self-awareness and confidence build, you don’t want to go back to letting your inner critic rule you. So, your commitment to change increases.
Essentially, this is how a new habit is formed.
Leave us a comment below and tell us how you are using momentum to silence the inner critic.
P.S. You may also be interested in our popular ebook, Hush Now – Quiet Your Inner Critic, and the accompanying Workbook available on SALE now in our Digital download section or visit our YouTube Channel.
