We all carry two voices inside us. One voice is nurturing and uplifting. It motivates us to lean into what speaks to us and live life up to our highest potential. This voice speaks the languages of confidence and possibility. Then there’s the voice that’s harsh and critical. It weighs us down like gravity and renders us incapable of growing into what we want to become. The second voice is the Intruder.
Here’s how you can deny the naysayer and create the changes you want to see in your life.
Practice Meditation.
The first step in tackling the Intruder is to acknowledge its presence. We can’t change something we’re not aware of. Meditation will help you silence the inner critic, so you may become more aware of the nurturing, uplifting voice that supports your growth and enhancement. This voice helps you become more conscious of your ambitious and creative self, making you more mindful. If you aren’t aware of the concept of mindfulness, it’s simply the ability to recognize your thoughts before you act on them.
Imagine the Intruder as a Funny Character.
Turn your inner critic (the Intruder) into a foolish character that instantly makes you break into laughter. This powerful technique alone can help you subdue the Intruder effectively. If you can’t think of something, let me give you a hint. You might know Zazu, the uptight bird from The Lion King. Zazu could get on your nerves, and no one liked him. So, next time, whenever a self-loathing thought creeps into your mind, think: “I hear you, Zazu, but I’m not paying any attention.”
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others.
Today’s world is highly competitive, where it’s easy for us to compare ourselves to others who’re supposedly doing better than us. And when the Intruder is in charge of our thinking, we feel like we don’t measure up, which has us descend into the dark shadows of the valley of negativity. So, here’s an idea to deny the naysayer: simply stop comparing yourself to others. Instead, turn inward. You need only to compare yourself to your previous versions of yourself. Then you’re able to make corrections and recognize the power within you.
Practice Self-Compassion.
With all of its imperfections, life is uniquely perfect, and so are we. The sooner one accepts this, the better life will be. When you develop this mindset, you begin to acknowledge your uniqueness, move past excessive self-criticism, and tame the Intruder. Self-compassion involves being kind to yourself when you’re feeling at your worst. The more you nourish your own voice of kindness, the less you give power to the naysayer within you.
The Bottom Line
To deny the naysayer within you, you’ll need to practice mindfulness. Imagine the Intruder as a foolish character, and spend no more time comparing yourself to others. My book The Maestro Monologue: Discover Your Genius. Defeat Your Intruder. Design Your Destiny offers more valuable tips on how to conquer the Intruder. Recently, I appeared on a podcast with a life coach and motivational speaker Sandy Joy Weston M.Ed. We had a fruitful discussion on creating the best life for yourself. The podcast is available on Spotify, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
