The document discusses strategies for breaking the cycle of self-criticism. It recommends avoiding generalization by considering overall performance rather than focusing on single negative events. It also suggests thinking about potential positive outcomes to avoid focusing solely on negatives. Additionally, it advises timeboxing feelings of failure or shame by allowing oneself to experience emotions for a limited time before making a conscious choice to move forward.

1. Break the Cycle of
Self-Criticism
Business Consultant Roberto Lico
licoreis@licoreis.com.br

3. It’s tempting to think that if
you’re tough on yourself, you’ll
perform better. But self-criticism
can ruin your mood, focus, and
productivity if you let it.

5. Try to take a more balanced
approach to evaluating your own
performance with these
strategies.

7. Avoid generalization.
Resist the urge to zero in on a single
negative event and instead consider your
performance on aggregate. Think of a bell
curve: Some days will be below average,
and that’s normal.

9. Think about what could go “right”.
To avoid focusing on the negative, consider
positive “what if” situations. For example:
What if this idea isn’t stupid, but is the
breakthrough that moves the project
forward? What if the senior leadership
team loves my presentation?

11. Timebox your feelings.
Set a timer for between 30-50 minutes (the
time it typically takes for feelings like shame to
dissipate) and allow yourself to fully experience
and process your emotions. Once the timer
goes off, make a conscious choice about how to
put those feelings behind you and move
forward.

13. LRCL – Lico Reis Consultoria & Línguas
Roberto Lico – licoreis@licoreis.com.br
WhatsApp: 12 9 9195 2474

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