One of the things that affects our thoughts and feelings is what has been called the Inner Gremlin, the Little Voice and the Inner Critic. This Gremlin might be little but it has a powerful effect on our lives.
The Gremlin is that inner voice that criticizes us, nags us, threatens us, scares us, badgers us, judges us, tells us after the fact what we should have said or done, focuses on the negatives in our lives and makes unhappy predictions about our future. It always knows what we should have done differently.
The Gremlin is that constant, never-ending nagging barrage of lectures that we give ourselves about how wrong we were or are and that our very lives are doomed at every moment because we are so incapable and incompetent.
Our inner Gremlin is just waiting for us to make a mistake and then it pounces. Criticizing us and lecturing us about how we should have done things differently or said this or said that. And then it predicts the future and tells us that we’ll never do anything right or never be successful or get what we want.
How do you know when your inner critic is in charge? Like everything else, you can’t change what you’re not aware of so the first step is awareness.
Do you ever say things to yourself such as:
- I’m a loser.
- Nothing good will ever happen to me.
- I can’t do anything right.
- That was a stupid thing to say.
- Why can’t I be more successful, richer, better looking, smarter, thinner, etc.?
Did you notice that these sound just like the negative beliefs that we talked about in my last newsletter?
Listen up: Pay attention to the voice of your Inner Gremlin. Really your Gremlin is a bully. But it doesn’t mean to be. The truth is that the Gremlin is trying to protect you. It’s the voice of fear.
Your mind’s primary job is your survival. So your Gremlin is working furiously all the time to make sure that you survive which means that it’s trying to keep you safe. It will do its best no matter what it takes to keep you safe. Even if that means putting you down.
What can you do? You can thank your Gremlin for sharing its thoughts and fears. You can let the Gremlin know that you appreciate its concerns. You can tell the Gremlin that you’re handling things and it can relax.
You can use EFT/tapping to deal with your fears, discouragement and other feelings.
But the most important place to start is by being aware of what the Gremlin is saying to you and how it’s affecting you and your life. So when you’re not feeling great about yourself or you’re feeling embarrassed or ashamed or inadequate, you can be pretty certain that your Inner Critic is running your show. It’s time to show him/her who’s the boss.
You can also read Taming Your Gremlin and A Master Class in Gremlin-Taming by Rick Carson, Little Voice Mastery by Blair Singer, Embracing Your Inner Critic by Hal and Sidra Stone.
Enjoyed reading this very much. It’s a very clear way to get to the bottom of things. I look forward to the interview you are having with Rick Carson on the Gremlins. Thanks Anne!
Thanks, Marcella!
Thank you very much Anne for that e-mail. I have been living quite on the edge financially and trying to reach my after retirement goals. My inner gremlin tells me to give up and live a life as just waiting for death now and some of the outer gremlins would tell me that too “why do you want to learn new things? why do you want to do that? but I refuse to give up. This is my time now…children grown and on their own. I refuse to give up my dreams…I deserve to reach my goals and be successful and happy.
You have been God-sent Anne. Through your seminars I have learned from so many famous teachers some of whom I have heard of or read at least one of their books, some I did not know of; and through whom I was given the tools to reach my goals and share my abilities and knowledge with those in need of them.
Forever thankful,
You go, Amalia! Keep pursuing your vision and follow your dreams. Don’t let any of the gremlins – inner or outer – deter you. You’re right – you DO deserve to have what you want. Keep believing.
Thank you for your kind comments.
Warm regards,
Anne
thankyou Anne for the article,even reading the article makes one feel lighter rightaway,what if we can be aware of the gremlin 24/7,I think most of our problems are solved instantly.looking forward for your future articles.
Thank you, Rajani. You’re right – being aware of the Gremlin is so important. That’s how you can decrease his/her power.
Warm regards,
Anne