Turn up the volume on your inner cheerleader

When was the last time you felt truly proud of yourself?

Some 61% of women state that it is their own inner critic that prevents them from being confident in what they do*. That constant internal voice tears down any positive feelings you have about yourself. But imagine feeling that warm glow that comes from feeling positive about something you’ve done? Leaning back in your chair thinking ‘girl… you did that?!’ You can have that feeling more often: and it’s good if you do! For your life and your career.

Let's have a quick look at the inner critic, explore its link to imposter syndrome, and understand how social conditioning add an extra layer of complexity for women.

What is it?

The inner critic, that annoying voice pointing out our flaws, usually starts with childhood experiences. Initially that voice was meant to keep us safe or push us to succeed. But, it can get a little too loud and insistent causing self-doubt and confidence struggles. For women especially, the ‘good girl’ conditioning that can be received from childhood cranks up the volume on this inner critic, making it even louder!

Gender and childhood conditioning

From a young age, girls get bombarded with how they should look, act, and be. These expectations become embedded into their self-perception and ingrained in their sense of identity. The inner critic takes these often unattainable standards and magnifies them. This intensifies the pressure on women and makes them question themselves even more. This continuous reinforcement of cultural norms creates a challenging landscape for women to navigate, but also makes it a really important pattern to overcome. Because the most powerful way to change these norms and expectations is to change the behaviours that feed into them. Change starts with each of us.

Imposter Syndrome: Robin to its Batman

Imposter syndrome is like the inner critic's sidekick. It's that persistent feeling of being a fraud. Incessantly doubting your accomplishments, and harboring a fear of exposure. The phenomenon of Imposter Syndrome becomes particularly pronounced for women because of the societal expectations we mentioned. Much of the measured standards of ‘success’ are standards that don’t align with the expectations of behaviour of women. So, even when women are thriving they don’t FEEL like they are measuring up.

Strategies for taming the inner-critic

• Acknowledge its presence:

  Recognise the inner critic is there, but don't let it control you. Create a mental space to question its judgments instead of just accepting them.

• Practice self-kindness:

  When the inner critic starts its negative chatter, counter it with positive affirmations. Treat yourself the way you'd encourage a friend – with kindness and understanding.

• Flip the switch:

  Catch negative thoughts and turn them around to positive ones. Challenge ideas that make you feel unworthy, replacing them with reminders of your strengths and accomplishments.

• Identify your triggers:

  Keep a journal of situations where self-criticism pops up. Look for patterns, figure out why certain criticisms stick, and find ways to cope when they come up.

• Give her a voice

  Take away its power by giving your inner critic a name. Turning this nagging voice into a distinct character can make it less intimidating and give you more control.

• Turn down the volume:

  Imagine the inner critic as a radio with a volume dial. Turn it down – make its criticisms quieter. This simple move helps you stay in charge of your thoughts.

Dealing with the inner critic and overcoming imposter syndrome isn't easy, especially with societal expectations in the mix. But understanding how and why it works gives you the tools to reclaim your confidence.

Speaking of tools - if you want more on these tips for turning up the volume on your inner cheerleader, download my 5 cheat codes now. This guide will give you more in-depth tools and questions to help you build greater self-belief. Click on the image below enter your details in the form and I’ll send you the guide.

Also, if you haven’t already seen, Confidence to RISE is currently open for registration. This 8-week program is designed to transform you from self-doubt, confusion, and overwhelm into unshakable clarity and confidence, poised to unleash your unique impact on the world. Check out the website if you want to learn more.