The Inner Critic is the main source of our biggest blocks to perform at our best. Fortunately, there are simple and effective ways to banish the inner critic in order to do our best work as contributors, collaborators, and leaders. First, you’ll discover the three mental power tools that you already possess to stop the inner critic in its tracks. Then you’ll learn methods for dealing with the fear of being judged and criticized, how to transform highly critical self-talk into that of approval and encouragement, and ways to feel like your ideas are good enough and stop committing “ideacide.” By the end, you’ll have a roadmap of how to get unstuck, do your best work, and channel your creativity as a force for positive change in the world.

1. Transform Self-Talk to
Elevate Performance
Denise Jacobs
UX Hustle Summit • 25 September 2020

2. Body Level One
Body Level Two
Body Level Three
Body Level Four
Body Level Five
@denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
#byeinnercritic
#uxhustle20
@denisejacobs
@denisejacobsdotcom
GET YOUR SOCIAL ON
@deniserjacobs

3. WHAT’S
BLOCKING
US?

4. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Success stories
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gvahim/10455956145/

5. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
What about the struggles?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/corneveaux/3248566797/

6. Body Level One
Body Level Two
Body Level Three
Body Level Four
Body Level Five
@denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
VUCA
volatility
uncertainty
complexity
ambiguity

7. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
FUD =
Fear
Uncertainty
Doubt
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tom_lin/3193080175/

8. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
“Do I have what it takes?”
https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-art-awakening-black-and-white-220210/

9. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
O hai, inner critic
Photo source: Flickr

10. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Small voice
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gsmatthews/6184488858/

11. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Judgey committee
https://www.flickr.com/photos/laurabl/3322988460/

12. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
How does your
Inner Critic show up?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/12392252@N03/5698444246/

13. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Your Inner Critical Voice(s)
C R E AT I V E D O S E :
I’m not ___________________________ enough.
I can’t _________________ because I’m not as________________ as others.
I shouldn’t __________________ because I haven’t ________________.
I ____________________ because my ideas ____________________.
If I ____________________, then people will ____________________.

14. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
(Virtual) “Snowball Fight”
L E T ’ S D O T H I S :

15. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Go to:
h p://creativedo.se/
uxhustlejamboard

16. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
How can we
show up in our
power?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/newamericanleadersproject/6959863273/

17. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
We can’t
https://www.pexels.com/photo/monochrome-photography-of-person-on-dark-room-1299417/

18. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Imagine…
Photo: UX Lisbon

19. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Imagine…
Photo: Denise Jacobs

20. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Imagine!
Photo: UX Lisbon

21. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Don’t despair!

22. MENTAL
MANAGEMENT

23. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
We can
control what’s
going on in
here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiarescott/3211540197/

24. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
We have (mental)
Power Tools
http://www.flickr.com/photos/techshop/2832912619/

25. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Neuroplasticity
https://www.flickr.com/photos/arselectronica/13994747444

26. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Attention & Focus
https://www.flickr.com/photos/77654185@N07/8428225936

27. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Mindfulness
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eldave/3065425105/

28. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Shift Focus
L E T ’ S D O T H I S :
Photo: Mind The Product SF 2019

29. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Self-compassion

30. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Self-Compassion Template
C R E AT I V E D O S E :

31. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
1) Transform Self-Talk
2) Stop Self-Sabotage
3) Own Your Expertise
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boklm/486676439/
Three Steps

32. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Step into your power and be
the creative badass that you are
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeronimooo/9640105244/

33. TRANSFORM
SELF-TALK

34. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
My basketball team

35. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Where’s
Denise?

36. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
( “Everyone will judge me for not
being an awesome player.
I’m going to be a disappointment.” )

37. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
“Your brain is like a
supercomputer, and your
self-talk is the program it
will run.”
- Jim Kwik, Founder of Kwik Learning and SuperheroYou

38. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Imposition
Mentality
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bethscupham/7328405210

39. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Word Choice
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythoto/3822942678/

40. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Say This, Not That
C R E AT I V E D O S E :
“I choose to/I get to”
“I want to”
“I will/I decide”
“When can I?”
“I have to” —>
“I ought to” —>
“I should” —>
“I must” —>

41. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Inner Critic = Self-talk gone awry
https://www.pexels.com/photo/thinking-environment-depressed-depression-54377/

42. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Self-talk Reboot
Creative Dose:

43. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Self-distancing
Creative Dose:

44. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Be Your Own Coach of Positivity
C R E AT I V E D O S E :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Keeping_the_ball_in_their_court,_Marine_coaches_teach_kids_sports,_values_121103-M-
OB827-069.jpg

45. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
I embraced it!

46. STOP SELF-
SABOTAGE

47. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Graduated from university
Photo: Deloria Jacobs

48. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
“I’d like to be a writer.”
Photo: Deloria Jacobs

49. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
“Do you know how hard it is to
get published?”

50. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
My father was no joke
Photo: Deloria Jacobs

51. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
( “Ge ing published is hard, so I
should just forget about being a
writer.” )

52. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
“Your negative self-talk is the
No.1 barrier to success.”
– Sara Blakely, Founder of Spanx

53. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Beware:
ANT attack!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/2495709841/

54. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
ANTs =
Automatic
Negative
Thoughts
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/2495709841/

55. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Your thoughts
aren’t true
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emayoh/4589881812/

56. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Think Like A Scientist
C R E AT I V E D O S E :

57. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Rumination

58. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Thoughts on replay
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lifethroughjournals/37465392494/

59. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Anti-Rumination Hand-Squeeze
C R E AT I V E D O S E :

60. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Are you committing “ideacide”?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allyaubryphotography/2443089993/

61. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Reframe criticism

62. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Curious and Open
C R E AT I V E D O S E :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonmelsa/3000222387/

63. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Became an
author!
Photo: Denise Jacobs

64. OWN
YOUR
EXPERTISE

65. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
A superstar line-up!
brandminds.ro

66. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
(“HOW CAN I REPLACE BRENE
BROWN???!!!”)

67. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
( “Am I as good as I believe I am?
What if I’m a fraud?” )

68. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Impostor
Syndrome
https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-person-red-white-476/

69. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Manifestations
Photo: Dense Jacobs

70. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
There’s paradox
with impostor syndrome
http://www.flickr.com/photos/x1brett/2279939232/

71. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Impostors don’t get
impostor syndrome!!
https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-human-face-monument-on-green-grass-field-189449/

72. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Remember the Impostor Syndrome Paradox
C R E AT I V E D O S E :
You will only experience impostor
syndrome when you are
competent and skilled.
(re-read this as many times as necessary.)

73. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Women are
highly susceptible

74. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Why don’t we see ourselves clearly?

75. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Consider this:

76. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
And then this:

77. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
This was me:
https://media2.giphy.com/media/l0ExplZscjforkFxe/giphy.gif

78. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Explains a LOT

79. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
We MUST stand for equity
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tutonephotos/50119541757/

80. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Refute Your Thoughts
C R E AT I V E D O S E :

81. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Hack
Confirmation
Bias
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbaker/70751294/

82. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Swipe File of Support
C R E AT I V E D O S E :

83. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
What’s your brilliance?
https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-holding-book-2781195/

84. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Werk it, OWN IT
https://giphy.com/gifs/rupaulsdragrace-episode-14-rupauls-drag-race-9372Cof6Fyaj5cEQLu

85. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
“I’m really good at…”
L E T ’ S D O T H I S !

86. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Go to:
h p://creativedo.se/
uxhustlejamboard

87. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Tea wisdom
Photos: Denise Jacobs

88. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
I owned it!
Photo: BrandmInds 2019

89. STEP INTO
YOUR
POWER

90. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #mtpcon
You’ll see yourself differently
Creative Dose:

91. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
You’ll start to
step into your
power
https://www.flickr.com/photos/drainrat/16666157505/

92. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Inner struggles will still exist
http://static.ipaustralia.com.au/store3/10/78/1078354.1.high.jpg

93. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
S.H.I.F.T.
C R E AT I V E D O S E :
Stay present:
Take several deep breaths to get yourself grounded and back into your body.
Have compassion:
Understand that you’re feeling scared and commit to giving yourself comforting messages.
Invoke mindfulness:
Realize that you are not your thoughts and that you have the power to observe them without reacting to them.
Focus attention:
Choose to place your attention on alternative thoughts.
Trust your ability to problem-solve:
Know that the creative part of you exists and it will come out when you relax.

94. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
What would you be able to do with
a banished inner critic?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rvm_71/5011353192/

95. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
“If I didn’t have an Inner Critic, I would…”
L E T ’ S D O T H I S !
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Before_I_die_I_want_to_write_an_album._(6123412737).jpg

96. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Go to:
h p://creativedo.se/
uxhustlejamboard

97. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Didn’t believe it
possible
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahalie/276780530/

98. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
A toolbox
https://www.pexels.com/photo/construction-work-carpenter-tools-3327/

99. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Now you can
make magic

100. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
The potential for
greatness
http://www.flickr.com/photos/onegiantleap/4124211492/

101. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Hold yourself
back?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/norbury/34413226423/

102. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Or be fully magnificent?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelbalint/8634008094/

103. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Tons more tools
in my book!
Go to
InnerCriticBook.com

104. Body Level One
Body Level Two
Body Level Three
Body Level Four
Body Level Five
@denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Want the slides? Go to
DeniseSlides.com

105. Body Level One
Body Level Two
Body Level Three
Body Level Four
Body Level Five
@denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
My courses on LinkedIn Learning
Go to
linkedin-learning.pxf.io/DeniseJacobs

106. Body Level One
Body Level Two
Body Level Three
Body Level Four
Body Level Five
@denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Get on my mailing list:
DeniseJacobs.com/
subscribe

107. Title Text
• Body Level One
• Body Level Two
• Body Level Three
• Body Level Four
• Body Level Five
@denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #uxhustle20
Continue the Conversation!
DeniseJacobs.com
denise@denisejacobs.com
deniserjacobs
denisejacobs
denisejacobs
denisejacobsdotcom