How to Silence Your Inner Critic and Elevate Your Performance
Sometimes you step on the field, and there’s a loud, critical voice. A voice that won’t give you a break.
“Do you really think you can beat this team?”
“Don’t mess up or the coach will be mad.”
“I can’t believe you tried to make that play.”
“You suck today.”
“Just pass it — you’ll miss if you shoot.”
That voice is harsh, judgmental, and negative. That voice is your inner critic — and unfortunately, we all have one.
What is Your Inner Critic?
Your inner critic is the voice inside that worries about everything, highlights your fears, and criticizes every mistake. When you listen to it, it can:
Drain your confidence
Hold you back from performing at your best
Limit you to the bare minimum
Athletes often share that their inner critic makes it hard to believe in themselves, increases anxiety, or causes them to play small instead of taking risks.
The truth? That’s the exact opposite of what you want.
The Good News: You Can Silence Your Inner Critic
While everyone has an inner critic, you don’t have to give it all the power. You can learn to silence it — and it’s a process we guide athletes through when that voice feels impossible to quiet.
Our 3-Step Process to Silencing Your Inner Critic
Get to Know Your Inner Critic
We start by identifying what your inner critic says, when it shows up, and how it affects your performance. Awareness is the first step toward control.Name Your Inner Critic
By giving your inner critic a name, you separate it from yourself. It’s no longer “you beating yourself up” — it’s a voice you can consciously silence.Fact-Check Your Inner Critic
Next, we challenge the voice. We analyze what it says and find evidence to prove it wrong. This step empowers you to fight back, take control of your self-talk, and choose to lift yourself up rather than tear yourself down.
Why Silencing Your Inner Critic is a Game-Changer
This process transforms athletes not just in sport, but in life. You learn how to:
Bounce back faster from adversity
Remain confident under pressure
Perform consistently at your peak
Beyond performance, many athletes say silencing their inner critic helps them enjoy their sport again and perform more consistently.
Take the First Step Toward Your Best Self
Feel like your inner critic is holding you back from greatness? Schedule a consultation with us, and we’ll guide you through this exact process — so you can silence that voice and unlock your full potential.