E12 - Taming the Inner Critic with Self-Celebration

KATIE'S FIRST HIKE IN THE GRAND CANYON

A week from today, Katie will head to the Grand Canyon to hike the Rim to Rim with some friends. It ties in with this theme of health that we've talked about in a variety of ways.

TAMING YOUR INNER CRITIC

Today we're going to talk about taming our inner critic. Do we have one? And are there times it's beneficial? Are there times where that can get in our way?

SHOULD WE TAME THE INNER CRITIC?

Should we tame the inner critic? I have a pretty strong inner critic. As a type one, a real strong internal perfectionism and knowing I can't achieve full perfection, but I better get as close as I can.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN YOUR INNER CRITIC LEAKS OUT

Alan Whitworth: For me, it's been in the last few years of recognizing that that inner critic likes to come at me not just in my work life, but in my parenting life as well. If you're not interacting with people in a way that supports your core values, that's that check engine light.

ON THE INNER CRITIC

Do we tame the inner critic or is there an alternative? There's an and as Katie has mentioned, there is a place for that inner critic, in my opinion.

THE INNER CRITIC

There is a role for the inner critic, but we need to be keeping it in check. What does it look like to be a little softer to myself? And by soft, I don't mean relaxing standards or excellence. I would say that's health, giving myself grace.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE WHEN KATIE IS REALLY HARSH THE INNER CRITIC

When Katie is really harsh the inner critic to herself. What do you notice about yourself when you get in that mindset? It's a great insight to recognize the amount of energy that this can take.

HOLDING YOURSELF TO A HIGH STANDARD

You're not releasing yourself from the high standard, from the patient care, from safety, from being a good community member. You're just changing the tone

HOW TO STOP CRITICIZING YOURSELF

What can we replace if we diminish our inner critic by 10%? Let's just use that as a number. Use at least part of that 10% to say to yourself, this is something I did well.

KATIE'S CELEBRATION OF HER OWN LIFE

Katie, when you allowed yourself to celebrate whatever it was, talk to me about what that felt like for you. I want to encourage you to be specific in the celebration. Celebration is good, period.

HOW TO CELEBRATE THE GOOD THINGS IN YOUR LIFE

I'm curious what role we play with each other in helping each other celebrate. What happens when my team continually performs at levels that are beyond expectation and yet I just assume that's part of it and I never celebrate them.

KATIE'S CELEBRATION OF HERSELF

Alan: My inner critic can oftentimes in and of itself be very specific. To counterbalance that with that tangible, specific celebration, I think can really be huge in overcoming it. If we can create that culture where we celebrate others, my hope is that others will experience what Katie described when she celebrated herself.

WHAT IF I JUST CAN'T QUIT CRITICIZING MYSELF?

Katie Townsend: What if I can't quit punishing myself? Townsend: Sometimes you need somebody to come down there with you and pull you back out. She says sharing this with others can help alleviate some of the pressure. Townsend: It's a two way street, offering help to others.

THE INNER CRITIC

Whitworth: I'm very goal driven and I've just got all these goals that I'm not meeting. And I just continually work hard, but I'm just not making any progress. So this stuff might be helpful, but it really isn't.

WANT TO MAKE MORE PROGRESS?

There is a book called Gap to Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. The book talks about looking back at where you started and where you are today. What I would predict is you've made much more progress than you may think.

ALAN ON HEALTHCARE AND THE GRAND CANYON

Alan Robbins: It's always such a pleasure to talk about being a leader in healthcare. Look forward to that grand Canyon update and how that goes. Thanks for modeling that for us, Katie. Until next time.