The Inner Critic is the main source of our biggest blocks to perform at our best. Fortunately, there are simple and effective ways to banish the inner critic in order to do our best work as contributors, collaborators, and leaders. First, you’ll discover the three mental power tools that you already possess to stop the inner critic in its tracks. Then you’ll learn methods for dealing with the fear of being judged and criticized, how to transform highly critical self-talk into that of approval and encouragement, and ways to feel like your ideas are good enough and stop committing “ideacide.” By the end, you’ll have a roadmap of how to get unstuck, do your best work, and channel your creativity as a force for positive change in the world.

1. Transform Self-Talk, Unblock
Creativity, and Enhance Performance
Denise Jacobs
• IABC Connect2 Comms • 11 November 2020

2. Body Level One
Body Level Two
Body Level Three
Body Level Four
Body Level Five
@denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
#iabcconnect, #iabcsouthern
#byeinnercritic
@denisejacobs
@denisejacobsdotcom
GET YOUR SOCIAL ON
@deniserjacobs

3. WHAT’S
BLOCKING
US?

4. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Success
stories and
best
practices
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gvahim/10455956145/

5. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
What about
the
struggles?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/corneveaux/3248566797/

6. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Important
time for
communicators
https://www.flickr.com/photos/byrawpixel/30849315347/

7. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Busier than
ever
https://www.pexels.com/photo/late-running-work-job-24068/

8. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Zoom fatigue
is REAL
https://www.flickr.com/photos/code_martial/4145914957

9. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Hard to get
message out
and pass on
information
https://www.pexels.com/photo/marketing-man-person-communication-362/

10. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Missing in-
person
contact

11. Body Level One
Body Level Two
Body Level Three
Body Level Four
Body Level Five
@denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
VUCA
volatility
uncertainty
complexity
ambiguity

12. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
FUD =
Fear
Uncertainty
Doubt
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tom_lin/3193080175/

13. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
“Do I have what it takes?”
https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-art-awakening-black-and-white-220210/

14. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Our inner
critics
Photo source: Flickr

15. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Affects
thinking
https://www.flickr.com/photos/falequin/8443342362/

16. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
The inner critic is a HUGE blocker
http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardwinchell/130344669/

17. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Small voice
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gsmatthews/6184488858/

18. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Judgey
commi ee
https://www.flickr.com/photos/laurabl/3322988460/

19. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
How does
your
Inner Critic
show up?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/12392252@N03/5698444246/

20. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Your Inner Critical Voice(s)
C R E AT I V E D O S E :
I’m not ___________________________ enough.
I can’t _________________ because I’m not as________________ as others.
I shouldn’t __________________ because I haven’t ________________.
I ____________________ because my ideas ____________________.
If I ____________________, then people will ____________________.

21. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
(Virtual)
“Snowball
Fight”
L E T ’ S D O T H I S :

22. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Go to:
h ps://creativedo.se/
iabcsr-jamboard

23. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
How can we
show up in
our power?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/newamericanleadersproject/6959863273/

24. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
We can’t
https://www.pexels.com/photo/monochrome-photography-of-person-on-dark-room-1299417/

25. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Mind &
perception
management
https://www.flickr.com/photos/anieto2k/15675189976/

26. MENTAL
MANAGEMENT

27. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
We can
control
what’s going
on in here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiarescott/3211540197/

28. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
We have
(mental)
Power Tools
http://www.flickr.com/photos/techshop/2832912619/

29. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Neuroplasticity
https://www.flickr.com/photos/arselectronica/13994747444

30. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
A ention &
Focus
https://www.flickr.com/photos/77654185@N07/8428225936

31. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Mindfulness
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eldave/3065425105/

32. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Shift Focus
L E T ’ S D O T H I S :
Photo: Mind The Product SF 2019

33. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Self-
compassion

34. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Self-
Compassion
Template
C R E AT I V E D O S E :

35. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Three Steps:
1) Amend Your
Mindset
2) Optimize
Performance
3) Amplify
Others’ Ideas
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boklm/486676439/

36. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Shi your
mindset, be
your brilliance
so others can
be as well,
and start
doing your
best work
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeronimooo/9640105244/

37. AMEND YOUR
MINDSET

38. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
My
basketball
team

39. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Where’s
Denise?

40. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
( “Everyone will judge me for not
being an awesome player.
I’m going to be a disappointment.” )

41. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
“Your brain is like a
supercomputer, and your
self-talk is the program it
will run.”
- Jim Kwik, Founder of Kwik Learning and SuperheroYou

42. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Imposition
Mentality
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bethscupham/7328405210

43. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
You already
know that
http://www.wordstream.com/images/persuasive-landing-pages-words-have-power.jpg

44. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Word Choice
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythoto/3822942678/

45. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Say This, Not That, part 1
C R E AT I V E D O S E :
“I choose to/I get to”
“I want to”
“I will/I decide”
“When can I?”
“I have to” —>
“I ought to” —>
“I should” —>
“I must” —>

46. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Say This, Not That - part 2
C R E AT I V E D O S E :
“Unexpected”
“New”
“Cautious”
“Prepare”
“Temporary changes”
“This is unusual”
“Uncertain” —>
“Unprecedented” —>
“Scared” —>
“Panic” —>
“Trying times” —>
“This is crazy” —>
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9zXajnJpJw/

47. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Hack
Confirmation
Bias
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbaker/70751294/

48. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Swipe File of
Support
C R E AT I V E D O S E :

49. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Reframe
criticism

50. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Curious and
Open
C R E AT I V E D O S E :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonmelsa/3000222387/

51. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
I embraced
it!

52. OPTIMIZE
YOUR
PERFORMANCE

53. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
A visit
creates
an
opportunity

54. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
A semblance of calm…

55. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
(“HOW CAN I WRITE A
TEDx TALK IN A DAY???!!!”)

56. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
( “Am I as good as I believe I am?
What if I’m a fraud?” )

57. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
“Your negative self-talk is the
No.1 barrier to success.”
– Sara Blakely, Founder of Spanx

58. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Impostor
Syndrome
https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-person-red-white-476/

59. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Manifestations
Photo: Dense Jacobs

60. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Inner critic
gets stronger
as the stakes
get higher

61. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
There’s paradox with impostor syndrome
http://www.flickr.com/photos/x1brett/2279939232/

62. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Impostors don’t get impostor syndrome!!
https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-human-face-monument-on-green-grass-field-189449/

63. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Remember
the Impostor
Syndrome
Paradox
C R E AT I V E D O S E :
You will only experience
impostor syndrome
when you are competent
and skilled.
(re-read this as many times
as necessary.)

64. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Women are
highly
susceptible

65. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Why don’t we
see ourselves
clearly?

66. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Consider this:

67. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
And then this:

68. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
This was me:
https://media2.giphy.com/media/l0ExplZscjforkFxe/giphy.gif

69. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Refute Your
Thoughts
C R E AT I V E D O S E :

70. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Inner Critic =
Self-talk gone
awry
https://www.pexels.com/photo/thinking-environment-depressed-depression-54377/

71. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Self-talk
Reboot
Creative Dose:

72. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Self-
distancing
Creative Dose:

73. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Be Your Own
Coach of
Positivity
C R E AT I V E D O S E :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Keeping_the_ball_in_their_court,_Marine_coaches_teach_kids_sports,_values_121103-M-
OB827-069.jpg

74. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
It worked!

75. BE YOUR
BRILLIANCE
TO AMPLIFY
OTHERS’
IDEAS

76. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Went see
Molly
Holzschlag
https://www.flickr.com/photos/chimchim/170743702/

77. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Magic-Maker
in my life
Photo: Denise Jacobs

78. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
First big
speaking gig:
2010

79. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Everyone has an
inner critic

80. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Beware:
ANT a ack!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/2495709841/

81. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
ANTs =
Automatic
Negative
Thoughts
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/2495709841/

82. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Rumination

83. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Thoughts on
replay
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lifethroughjournals/37465392494/

84. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Anti-
Rumination
Hand-
Squeeze
C R E AT I V E D O S E :

85. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
What’s your
brilliance?
https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-holding-book-2781195/

86. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Are your
people
commi ing
“ideacide”?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allyaubryphotography/2443089993/

87. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Share Your
Expertise
C R E AT I V E D O S E :

88. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Unreasonable
standards –
can’t make
any mistakes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/diepuppenstubensammlerin/7648792510/

89. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Excellence≠P
erfection
C R E AT I V E D O S E :

90. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
In this
together

91. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Fast forward
to 2015:
keynote in
Tel Aviv

92. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Two years later, I saw this Tweet:

93. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Dana: gave a
talk, then co-
founded a
group (!!)

94. START DOING
YOUR BEST
WORK

95. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
You’ll see
yourself
differently
Creative Dose:

96. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
You’ll
operate from
your zone of
genius
https://www.flickr.com/photos/drainrat/16666157505/

97. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
You’ll
become a
stronger
leader in this
new era

98. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Inner
struggles will
still exist
http://static.ipaustralia.com.au/store3/10/78/1078354.1.high.jpg

99. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Self-care is
critical
creative dose:

100. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern

101. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Refill your
cup
C R E AT I V E D O S E :

102. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
What would
you be able
to do with a
banished
inner critic?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rvm_71/5011353192/

103. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
“If I didn’t have an Inner Critic, I would…”
L E T ’ S D O T H I S !
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Before_I_die_I_want_to_write_an_album._(6123412737).jpg

104. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Go to:
h ps://creativedo.se/
iabcsr-jamboard

105. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Didn’t
believe it
possible
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahalie/276780530/

106. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
A toolbox
https://www.pexels.com/photo/construction-work-carpenter-tools-3327/

107. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Now you can
make magic

108. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
The potential
for greatness
http://www.flickr.com/photos/onegiantleap/4124211492/

109. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Hold yourself
back?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/norbury/34413226423/

110. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Or be fully
magnificent?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelbalint/8634008094/

111. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Tons more
tools in my
book!
Go to
InnerCriticBook.com

112. Body Level One
Body Level Two
Body Level Three
Body Level Four
Body Level Five
@denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Want the slides? Go to
DeniseSlides.com

113. @denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
My courses
on LinkedIn
Learning
Go to
linkedin-learning.pxf.io/DeniseJacobs

114. Body Level One
Body Level Two
Body Level Three
Body Level Four
Body Level Five
@denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Get on my mailing list:
DeniseJacobs.com/
subscribe

115. Title Text
• Body Level One
• Body Level Two
• Body Level Three
• Body Level Four
• Body Level Five
@denisejacobs / #byeinnercritic | #iabcconnect #iabcsouthern
Continue the Conversation!
DeniseJacobs.com
denise@denisejacobs.com
deniserjacobs
denisejacobs
denisejacobs
denisejacobsdotcom