The inner critic is that voice inside your head that tells you that you aren't good enough, smart enough, talented enough, pretty enough, or strong enough. It nags and natters at you to
point that your self confidence and sense of bravery is destroyed. You are convinced that voice is correct and that you really don't have what it takes to live out your wildest dreams. As time goes on, you quit setting meaningful goals. You become resigned to a life of mediocrity and dullness.The inner critic typically begins during childhood. Unfortunately most of us have had parents, siblings, teachers, friends, and enemies tell us that we aren't good enough. They laughed in your face when you told them your childhood dreams. It's not always said directly to our face. Sometimes it's a subtle undercurrent. Maybe you lived in shadow of a perfect older brother and your folks forgot to cheer on your successes too. Maybe your folks did everything for you as if you weren't capable of doing anything for yourself. Maybe you lived under rule of a perfectionist, so everything you did was critiqued with a cold critical eye and never quite cut mustard.
However it starts, inner critic gathers proof that it is doing right thing by protecting you from making foolish leaps of faith. It will find proof of your lack and inability to shine. Every time you give up and quit, inner critic files that away in it's memory as proof yet again of your smallness. Years and years of layers of proof and validation coupled with lack of a strong support system of cheerleaders strengthens inner critic until it overpowers your own sense of drive and purpose. Your fears now rule your life.
Critics are not necessarily bad. They analyze and report back results of their critique. The inner critic believes that he is protecting you. It's his job to keep you from doing harmful or foolish things. In caveman days, he would have told you that you couldn't outrun lion so you'd best leave it alone. He would have told you not to try jumping off of that cliff because you don't have wings like a bird so you're not going to be able to fly. The inner critic is supposed to analyze your talents, traits, and abilities and then determine whether or not you've got what it takes to accomplish whatever whim you're entertaining. At an enlightened balanced level he keeps you safe and out of trouble. In overdrive, he immobilizes you and keeps you from doing much of anything interesting and adventurous.
Look at most common phobia in America - public speaking. Now seriously, this is feared more than dying! How can that be? What is it we're afraid of? People will laugh at us? People will think we're stupid? People will be so bored that they'll fall asleep and snore through speech? We'll forget what we were going to say and just stand there with a blank look on our face? To stand up and speak one's mind is ultimate test of self confidence. Do you really truly believe in yourself, your knowledge of subject matter, your ability to form words and sentences that make sense to audience?
