Your inner naysayer thrives on the unknown. When things are ambiguous or uncertain, fear can set in. It’s only natural and is part of the human condition. That voice inside your head that’s trying desperately to keep you safe will see the unknown as a threat. That’s when you’ll start to experience a flood of negative self-talk. One sure way to combat these negative messages is by having a plan. Focus on specifics to defuse your inner naysayer. Let me show you how.
Know the Details
When you start to recognize your inner naysayer rearing its pesky head, it’s a good idea to see if you can start putting together some details. This can alleviate some of the anxiety you’re feeling. For instance, if you’re worried about applying for a promotion at work, you’ll want to start making a list of your unique qualifications. You’ll need this information in order to ace the interview, anyway. Gathering it now will push you forward and give you the confidence to apply. With these details, you can counter the negative messages your inner critic is sending.
Make a Plan
Once you have some of the details and evidence together to help hush your inner naysayer, you can begin to formulate a plan to move you forward. To stay with the last example, strategize for a potential interview. Make sure your resume is up to date and that it looks professional. Prepare for potential questions you could be asked. Pull together a stellar reference list. Ask questions of any insiders you might know who could provide you some insight into what the interview will be like. Add anything you can think of to solidify your plan. Your inner critic can’t really argue with someone who has a strategy in place.
Write a List
Sometimes your inner naysayer’s voice can be incredibly loud. You might be feeling too overwhelmed and defeated to gather all the details and make a fully formulated plan. That’s okay. Even a small step can help you to at least quiet your inner critic. This can buy you some time and create some breathing room for formulating a plan later. Just writing a list of things that go against the messages your naysayer is telling you might help. Perhaps jotting down just three things that qualify you for the promotion can boost your confidence enough to consider applying for the job.
These tips can help you to get a handle on your inner naysayer. Just taking a few small actions is often enough to provide you with a more realistic view of the situation. Give this approach a shot next time you’re feeling pressure from your inner critic.
