Let’s face it. Everyone has a negative manifestation of the ego commonly called The Inner Critic. This is a quick tip but an extremely powerful one because our own Inner Critic can stop us from starting work on a project. Even after we start, the Inner Critic is still there to pick apart the work of our Inner Creative Genius, the one who wants to create. So learning to handle the Inner Critic is extremely valuable.

I learned today’s tip at Joseph McClendon III’s three day seminar in Newport Beach three years ago. Wow! It’s hard to believe how time flies. Thank you Joseph for this brilliant strategy, which can also be used to push through other nagging self-doubts and debilitating fears.

First, let me draw your attention to the fact that the Inner Critic has an equal and opposite counterpart. It’s our Inner Creative Genius (that’s my contribution). This is the character in our inner dialogues we want to train ourselves to identify with as our true self. The Inner Creative Genius is probably the Inner Child because it has an innocent and vulnerable quality. I’m no psychologist but that makes sense to me.

Second, and by contrast, the Inner Critic is likely a constellation in our psyche that arose from unexamined fear and criticism we experienced growing up. The Inner Critic is really there to protect us. So compassion is key. Isn’t that interesting? We’ll be successful in fielding complaints from this character by acknowledging their opinions and concerns. After doing so, we explain from our Inner Creative Genius’s point-of-view, that we just want to explore an idea, just to see where it takes us.

The Inner Critic will acknowledge this as a valid point and stop griping for the time being. Then we’re free to go to town with our creative insight. At least for the time being. Remember, the Inner Critic isn’t going anywhere. Best to make friends! Never argue with your Inner Critic. You will almost always lose the skirmish and come away feeling bad. Use acknowledgment when negotiating because chances are the Critic has valid opinions.

So that’s the tip for today! Try it. I think you’ll be glad you did. Until next time.