“I should be doing more”

Those words ring true? The thoughts that you have the ability but you are not succeeding or you have the time but aren’t motivated? Or the nagging voice in your head telling you that you can do better or more?

I have those voices. The ones that tell me that I didn’t do enough to be successful during Covid lock down. The one that tells me that I could be in the best shape of my life if I had taken the time to move more and eat less over the past year. The one that belittles me for not getting the book published in 2020 like I had set out to do.

What I have learned to do is to acknowledge these thoughts. And to get underneath them. What is the “you should be doing more” voice telling me? Is it actually belittling me or trying to protect me from not reaching my potential? Is the “you could have been in the best shape” narrative trying to make me feel bad about myself or push me to keep on a path of health?

I have taken time to listen to my inner critic. The devil that sits on my shoulder telling me that I weigh too much, that I am not doing enough and that I am not good enough has been loud, at times. What I have found is the more I listen to it, unpack what the devil is actually attempting to do and shift the conversation, I am able to use these thoughts to my advantage.

The “you are not good enough” part of me does not actually think that. It is pushing me to realize that I have potential to be great and that I am talented and that I AM enough. It is protecting me from slipping. The part of me that thinks I weigh too much is actually trying to make sure I take care of myself physically because it knows that my genes are not set up in my favor. The “you failed because your book is not in print yet” voice is actually speaking from a place of fear. Fear of failing. It is trying to protect me from failing.

When the inner critic pipes up, listen to them. They are speaking to something greater. They want to help except they don’t know how to say it nicely to you all of the time. Take control back from the inner critic by demanding that they speak in a kind tone with your best intentions in mind.

When you get to that point, you can start breaking free from limiting yourself and start working towards living in your greatest self.