Tools for Staying True to Your Voice
Let’s be real—most of us have that annoying little voice in our head that loves to point out every flaw, second-guess every idea, and basically act like an unpaid troll living rent-free in our minds. For women entrepreneurs especially, that inner critic can get loud when we’re stepping into new spaces, raising our prices, or finally saying out loud, “Yes, I’m good at what I do.”
The Problem: When Your Inner Critic Won’t Shut Up
The problem? That voice doesn’t just make you feel small—it keeps you from showing up fully in your business. You hold back on pitching, stay quiet in rooms where your perspective is needed, or water down your content because you’re worried someone won’t “get it.”
Here’s the truth: if you’re always catering to that critic, you’re putting your authentic voice on mute. And that’s the very thing your audience and clients need to hear.
The Solution: Mindset Shifts & Self-Coaching Practices to Turn the Volume Down
The good news? You can learn to coach yourself through those moments of doubt and put that inner critic on “Do Not Disturb.” Here are a few strategies:
1. Call Out the Lies
When your inner critic starts its nonsense (“Who do you think you are?” or “No one wants to hear this”), stop and ask: Is this actually true? Nine times out of ten, it’s just fear dressed up in a fake power suit. Naming it helps you take its power away. Remember, you have a say in whose voice to listen to. Never lose sight of that.
2. Reframe the Narrative
Instead of letting your critic tell the story, flip it. Example: Instead of “I’m not experienced enough,” try “I bring a fresh perspective that others don’t.” It’s not about faking confidence—it’s about seeing the truth from a more empowering angle. By reframing it, you take your power back.
3. Use the ‘Best Friend Test’
Would you talk to your best friend the way your inner critic talks to you? Absolutely not! You’d risk losing your friendship, and that’s not good. So why accept it for yourself? Treat your voice with the same compassion and respect you’d give someone you love. Stand up to your inner critic when it tries to dismiss your experience or skills.
4. Create a Self-Coaching Ritual
When doubt creeps in, have a go-to practice ready. This could be journaling three things you’re proud of today, taking a walk while affirming your wins, or literally saying out loud: “Thanks for your input, but I’ve got this.”
5. Anchor Back to Your Why
Your critic thrives on distraction and fear. Your purpose shuts it down. When you reconnect with why you started your business and the impact you want to make, it’s easier to move forward even when the doubts are buzzing. For more on this topic, check out Building Confidence – Tools and Techniques.
And if you need hard proof, psychologist Ethan Kross breaks it down perfectly in his book Chatter: The Voice in Our Head—Why It Matters, and How to Harness It:
“The voice in our head can be our best coach or our worst critic. Learning how to shift it from chatter to constructive self-talk is one of the most powerful tools we have for thriving.”
That right there is your reminder—you’re not unhinged for hearing that voice, but you are powerful enough to redirect it.
The Bottom Line
Your inner critic might never disappear completely (sorry, it’s not that kind of fairytale). But you don’t have to let it run the show. By shifting your mindset and practicing simple self-coaching tools, you can quiet the noise and keep amplifying your unique voice—the one your audience has been waiting for.
Because here’s the thing: no one else can bring what you bring to the table. And the more you own that, the less power that critic has over you.
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