Turn off the inner self-critic

Most of us have an inner voice that's quick to point out what we did wrong: the extra cookie, the missed workout, the late night. That voice can feel motivating, but harsh self-talk usually leaves us feeling stuck rather than ready to change.

I tell my clients to speak to themselves the way they'd speak to a dear friend. You'd never tell a friend they failed because they had dessert. You'd remind them that one choice doesn't define them.

Try this: the next time you catch a critical thought, pause and rewrite it as something kind and true, such as "I'm learning, and tomorrow is a fresh start."