inner critic

Taming the Internal Critic: A Free Webinar 10/12/17

October 10, 2017 by diannejacob 12 Comments

The voice says you’re never going to be a good enough writer, food stylist, blogger, recipe developer, or social media maven. The one that asks “Why bother?” or “Who cares?” Your job is taming the internal critic, but it doesn’t always work.

That voice never goes away, because it is part of you. So taming the internal critic requires effort and patience.

I’ve got some ideas that might help you understand your critic’s purpose and create compassion versus frustration.

On Thursday, I’m hosting a FREE webinar for The International Association of Culinary Professionals, called Taming the Inner Critic. There’s no charge for both members and guests, so no reason not to sign up.

If you can’t join us, IACP will archive the webinar. Then you can [Read more…] about Taming the Internal Critic: A Free Webinar 10/12/17

3 Beliefs To Challenge in the New Year

January 7, 2014 by diannejacob 66 Comments

This month, everyone’s thinking about New Year’s resolutions. Let’s try something less traditional than dieting and juice fasts. Let’s try challenging negative self-talk as writers and communicators.

I’ll start. I have beliefs that hold me back. I bet you have them too. I say these things subconsciously, and I believe them far more often than I should. I fear if I hear them often enough, they will become true. That’s a good motivator to do something about it.

The trick is to hear what the inner critic says and then reframe the self-talk to become more positive and accepting. That’s my [Read more…] about 3 Beliefs To Challenge in the New Year

Being Grateful — And Happier!

December 20, 2011 by diannejacob 50 Comments

If you can get a sentence down, then a paragraph, then an essay, and maybe an entire manuscript, this is the season to be grateful. While 81 percent of the public says they want to write a book, most of them never get to that point. Because it’s hard.

At a workshop I conducted recently, one of the students said she hasn’t been able to write a blog post for the last four months. I have wrestled with my critic for more than 30 years of being published, and it is still a struggle. I can relate.

So this holiday season, I’m grateful I can produce the words. Being grateful, it turns out, is a mood changer. The other day I heard [Read more…] about Being Grateful — And Happier!

Steve Jobs and the Internal Editor

October 18, 2011 by diannejacob 61 Comments

I’m still mourning the death of Steve Jobs, a brilliant man who changed my life with beautifully-designed, practical products. But I’ve also been reading about the type of boss he was: bullying. Just like my own critical voice.

In the late 1980’s, I was working on a cover story for the NeXT machine, one of Job’s rare flops. The magazine’s editor-in-chief, main feature writer, and I (the executive editor) spent an afternoon interviewing Jobs about his new machine and his strategy.

I found it nerve-wracking to be around the guy. He had piercing eyes that bore into me, unblinking. He seemed to be thinking, “You are an idiot” whenever I spoke. I was simultaneously thrilled to be in his presence but couldn’t wait to get away.

Towards the end of our meeting, I suggested he appear on the cover. He scoffed and [Read more…] about Steve Jobs and the Internal Editor