“A critic is a legless man who teaches running.”

-- Channing Pollock

Hi everyone! A quick note to say thanks to all of you who sent ideas for how to create a spam-free forum. I’m working on it. Today, I want to share a great article from Vicky White on how to make friends with your inner critic. I desperately needed this for my empowerment!

~ Patrice

From Vicky:

If things are not flowing in your life – your creativity, your prosperity, your relationships, your health or anything – your inner critic is most likely spinning a great tale.

For example: You’re too fat. You never stick to anything. Why bother – you’re not entrepreneur material. You’re no writer. Look at your house – you’re such a slob.

Any of these sound familiar? The good news is you can turn your critic into your coach and take control of your life.

Here’s a simple 4-step process to train your inner critic to tell you the whole truth.

1. What’s your critic telling you? It’s most likely in the form of a judgment or criticism. One example from a client: dropping a few pounds. You too might be hearing:

You’re out of control, you’re too fat. Look at you eating chocolate after you said you wouldn’t. You’re so weak willed. You’re useless.

This is your critic expressing anger – and anger is usually all you hear.

2. What’s the fear your critic is expressing? I’m afraid you’re sabotaging yourself and you’re just going to keep putting more weight on and feeling more sluggish. And you’ll never be that person you know you can be. I’m scared for you.

3. What’s the request your inner critic would like to make? I’d like you to make a list of things that truly nourish you, and schedule at least one of those each day. (Keep asking your critic for what she’s requesting of you until you get some really specific requests.)

4. What’s the love behind your critic’s anger? I love you and want the best for you. I want you to experience the transformation that comes from having your energy flow freely in your body.

This is a good process to journal about. Your critic really does have your best interests at heart – the trouble is she’s not telling you the full story – she starts with her anger and more than likely that just makes you feel like eating even more chocolate because you start believing you really are useless so what’s the point?

Look to see where you may be blocked in going for your goals. What’s your critic telling you? Make sure you get the full story – your critic’s fear, request and love as well as her anger. Then you’ll have some action steps to take and you will have turned your inner critic into your coach.

(I learned this tool from Jack Canfield – it’s a good one!)

~ Vicky White

©2009 Vicky White, The Feng Shui Coach. Get Vicky White’s FREE “5 Biggest Attraction Mistakes” report and her FREE articles to boost your creativity and your bottom line at her site.