Banish your inner critic Denise R. Jacobs Coral Gables Women’s Club Miami, FL 12 June 2013

About me Photo: Derek Kearney

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorenjavier/7324305636/

A typical start to a story…

29 June http://www.flickr.com/photos/jblndl/3154255478/

Creativity http://www.flickr.com/photos/international-festival/3018718331/

Destructivity http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevygee/3265941065/

The voices in my head seemed real http://www.flickr.com/photos/epsos/4887528060/

I totally freaked out

I shouldn't be writing this I misrepresented myself I don't know enough This should be someone else’s book I’m going to look stupid Everyone will see that I’m a fake What if it's not good enough? What if I'm not good enough?

No…really!

Paralyzed and imprisoned http://www.flickr.com/photos/b3ni/2990601183/

Made me want to hide http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenzzz_14/7031233649/

Created roadblocks http://www.flickr.com/photos/99301367@N00/8497106802/

2 days http://www.flickr.com/photos/fiery-phoenix/8428079916/

Physical evidence of fear http://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpyfeline/4626401443/

The Inner Critic http://www.flickr.com/photos/lance_mountain/2849396572/

Guises of the Inner Critic Photo: Denise Jacobs

Comparisons http://www.flickr.com/photos/kharied/3315558702/

Perfectionism http://www.flickr.com/photos/diepuppenstubensammlerin/7648792510/

Impostor Syndrome

Procrastination http://www.flickr.com/photos/irrezolut/2311904560/

Busyness

What is your Inner Critic? http://www.flickr.com/photos/b4b2/3954106061/

FEAR! Photo: Denise Jacobs

“False Evidence Appearing Real”

F.E.A.R. =

Brainwaves http://www.flickr.com/photos/44568283@N02/4097561067/

Know your Brainwaves

suppresses generative impulses http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeapalooza/553545517/

Critical voices http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeapalooza/553545517/

How do we… http://www.flickr.com/photos/b4b2/3954106061/

Banish the Inner Critic? http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythoto/3822942678/

“Fear is not real. It is a product of the thoughts you create. Do not misunderstand me. Danger is very real. But fear is a choice.” - character of Cypher Raige (played by Will Smith), After Earth

Wise words

3 ways to bust through self-criticism http://www.flickr.com/photos/shanekemp/6152286326/

Turn the tables & partner

Curiosity http://www.flickr.com/photos/jtcatbagan/1557200142/

Ask questions http://www.flickr.com/photos/ogil/1507585665/

Work to http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonmelsa/3000222387/

Comparisons aren’t real http://www.flickr.com/photos/suvodeb/2559017400/

Be compassionate http://www.flickr.com/photos/mazgrp/2050810720/

Transform

Remember your successes http://www.flickr.com/photos/pocait/2847866615/

Empathize http://www.flickr.com/photos/wrote/2646295354/

Changes your brain! http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neuron-SEM.png

Changes your brain! http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neuron-matrix.png

Practice

Learn from the master alchemists Photo: Denise Jacobs

Fail in private http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/959867550/

Do it again http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/959864706/

maintain perspective http://www.flickr.com/photos/daikrieg/1294053038/

Story end? http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonialuna/2942020058/

February http://www.flickr.com/photos/doug88888/3709856898/

Failure http://www.flickr.com/photos/paolocampioni/2168286027/

Win! http://www.flickr.com/photos/clappstar/6297835482/

I wrote a book! Photo: Denise Jacobs

http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=brainwaves&order=9&offset=120#/dqc6w7

Have had great opportunities

Working with my Inner Critic http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielagama_fotografando/4029208908/

Allow me to create something wonderful http://www.flickr.com/photos/7730492@N03/4958540694/

I’m sure it will do the same for you, too http://www.flickr.com/photos/siutou_amy/2306794554/

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/system/product_images/images/000/617/330/original_the_end_bookend_lifestyle.jpg

The End

My articles for further reading netmagazine.com/features/ four-secrets-enhancing-creative-productivity alistapart.com/articles/ reigniting-your-creative-spark/ alistapart.com/articles/ banishing-your-inner-critic/

DeniseJacobs.com

denise@denisejacobs.com

I speak, write, and promote Creativity! Photo used with permission: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aarronwalter/4629078087/

Thank you http://www.flickr.com/photos/theredproject/3302110152/