Your inner critic is an unconscious deterrent that stands between the seeds of great ideas and the fruits of achievement, keeping you stuck by telling you you’re just faking it, that others have more talent, that you’ll never achieve the success you seek. Let's take a look at ways to banish your inner critic to give you the mental space and energy to let your true talents emerge.

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

2. About me
Photo: Derek Kearney

3. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorenjavier/7324305636/
A typical start to a story…

4. 29 June
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jblndl/3154255478/

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

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

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

8. I totally freaked out

9. 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!

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

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

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

13. 2 days
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fiery-phoenix/8428079916/

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

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

16. Guises of the Inner Critic
Photo: Denise Jacobs

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

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

19. Impostor Syndrome

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

21. Busyness

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

23. FEAR!
Photo: Denise Jacobs

24. “False Evidence Appearing Real”
F.E.A.R. =

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

26. Know your Brainwaves

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

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

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

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

31. “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

32. 3 ways to bust through self-criticism
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shanekemp/6152286326/

33. Turn the tables & partner

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

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

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

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

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

39. Transform

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

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

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

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

44. Practice

45. Learn from the master alchemists
Photo: Denise Jacobs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

53. I wrote a book!
Photo: Denise Jacobs

54. http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=brainwaves&order=9&offset=120#/dqc6w7
Have had great opportunities

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

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

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

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

59. 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/

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

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