The Battle with the Inner Critic

I've written several blogs about the inner critic, but given the volume of work I need to accomplish this month, I think it's time for another one.

I find my inner critic is loudest when I feel overwhelmed. This month I have two regional writing contests that are important to me. These are for two little conferences I go to nearly every year, so I like to write for the contests hosted in conjunction with these conferences. I also have a work trip mid-month and will be attending DragonCon at the end of the month. Plus, I need to work on my Kaylee novel. It's really been pulling at me recently, but with everything else my inner critic is throwing a tantrum of criticism.

I have read that our inner critic is the internalization of all of the negative comments we have received over the course of our lives. It fights to protect us from potential harm like a blind child fighting the boogey monster.

The best way I have found to overcome my inner critic is to jump in head-first and start writing. When I feel that accomplished afterglow at the end of a writing session, my inner critic is significantly quieter. And I am significantly happier.

How do you fight off your inner critic – whether it be in writing or art or sports, or wherever you passion may lie?