You know the feeling. You’re about to walk into a big meeting, hit send on an important email, or raise your hand for something that matters — and there it is. That voice.
Not helpful. Not constructive. Just a steady stream of ‘are you sure about this?’, ‘who do you think you are?’, and the classic ‘everyone is going to realise you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing.’
Welcome to your inner critic. Annoying, isn’t it? The good news is — you don’t have to let it run the show. Here’s how to interrupt it before your next big moment.
Step 1: Name it (seriously — give it an actual name)
This sounds slightly ridiculous, and I promise it works.
Your inner critic is not you. It’s a pattern of thought — a collection of old messages, absorbed fears, and outdated protective strategies that your brain developed long before you were the capable professional you are today. When you treat it as ‘your thoughts’, it has enormous power. When you treat it as a slightly dramatic uninvited guest, it has considerably less.
So name it. Something that feels a bit absurd. My clients have named theirs everything from Gerald to Brenda to ‘the committee’. The name doesn’t matter. What matters is the separation it creates.
Next time the voice starts up: ‘Oh. There’s Gerald again. Thanks Gerald, I’ve got this.’
Step 2: Use the three-second rule
In meetings, the inner critic does its best work in the pause between you having an idea and you deciding whether to say it. That pause is where it moves in, unpacks its bags, and starts listing all the reasons this is a terrible plan.
The three-second rule: when you have something to say, speak within three seconds. Not a full presentation — just enough to claim the space. ‘I’ve got a thought on this.’ ‘Can I add something here?’ ‘Building on that…’
That’s it. The idea is in the room. It has your name on it. The inner critic didn’t get a look in.
Step 3: Prepare your voice before you enter the room
Visibility doesn’t just happen in the moment — it’s built in the five minutes before the moment. Before any high-stakes meeting or conversation, write down two or three points you want to make. Not a script. Not a performance. Just prompts.
This does two things. First, it means you go in with something ready — so the inner critic has less empty space to fill with doubt. Second, it’s an act of commitment. You’re telling yourself: I have something to contribute here, and I intend to contribute it.
Step 4: Get it in writing
If you want to make sure your ideas are seen and credited as yours — before, during, and after a meeting — put them in writing.
Before: ‘Ahead of today’s session, I wanted to share a few thoughts…’ After: ‘Following on from the point I raised earlier…’ Both create a quiet, professional paper trail of ownership. No drama. Just clarity.
Step 5: Find your inner champion
For every inner critic, there is an inner champion. The part of you that knows your value, even when the other voice is loudest. The part that is calm, grounded, and clear.
Here’s a quick way to find yours: think of someone you respect at work who was in a similar situation to the one making you nervous. What would you say to them? What advice would you give?
Whatever just came to mind — that’s your inner champion. Write it down. Say it out loud if you need to. That voice is available to you. You just have to choose it.
THIS THURSDAY — 21 MAY 12pm GMT
In the Own Your Confidence masterclass, we don’t just talk about the inner critic — we identify yours specifically, understand your imposter syndrome type, discover and name your inner champion, and build a complete, personal confidence toolkit you can use from the moment you log off.
It’s free.
It’s live.
It won’t be recorded.
It’s one hour that could change the way you show up at work.
