So much excellent info here. Just another technique I use often.
THE INNER CRITIC
I've found nothing takes the wind out of your sails more quickly than a few critical comments made by the wrong person at the wrong time. And the worst critic you will ever encounter is the one who lives inside your own mind. The way we talk to ourselfs has a profound impact on our emotional state.
For example, when you make a mistake, consider the tone of voice you use when you talk to yourself. Do you say "Oh, goody, another learning experience!" or is it more like "You stupid idiot, you really screwed up that time!" or "When are you ever going to learn!"
Remember a time when you made a big mistake and recall how you spoke to yourself. What does it sound like? Is it critical, is it angry, sarcastic or resigned?
Many people presume that just because there's a voice inside their head they have to listen to it. But criticism is meant to be constructive, and if what your inner voice says is not supporting you, try this simple experiment. I do like my experiments.
THE INNER CRITIC
(1) Stop for a moment and talk to yourself in your critical voice, saying all those nasty things in that unpleasent tone.
(2) Now, notice where you make that voice. Does it seem to be coming from inside yuor head or outside? Is it at the front, the sides or the back?
(3) Extend your arm and stick out your thumb.
(4) Wherever the critical voice was, move it down your arm to the tip of your thumb, so it's now speaking to you from there.
(5) Next, slow it down and change the tone of it. Make it sound sexy, or speed it up so it sounds like Mickey Mouse.
It sounds much less threatening like that, doesn't it.
Carl
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