Why I Almost Didn’t Write This Post and How I Beat My Inner Critic

{Mixed Media Original Art on Etsy}

Why I Almost Didn’t Write This Post

I sat down to write this post, and I almost talked myself out it. I’d decided that I was going to share my goals from now until the end of November with my lovely readers, but then my inner critic crept in and said, “What happens if you don’t reach those goals? Then you’ll have to tell your readers that you couldn’t do it, that you suck.”

Then I started thinking, “Hmmm, that’s unpleasant. Maybe I should keep my goals to myself…just in case I don’t reach them. That way, it’s not so bad.”

After a couple of minutes of brainstorming new topics I realized what was happening. I was letting that soul-sucking monster that lives in my head win. And, I’m too damn stubborn to let that happen.

Here’s the thing. We all have that inner critic. The voice that tells us we’re not good enough and laughs at our art. The one who constantly asks, “Who do you think you are doing that? Trying that? Making that?”

How I Beat My Inner Critic

Well, guess what inner critic? You don’t get to win today.

I beat my inner critic by reminding myself that I encourage others to hold themselves accountable by sharing their goals, and thinking about the worst case scenario that could happen if I didn’t reach my goals. It’s not like you’re going to come and egg my house if I don’t accomplish everything I say I want to achieve.

I mean, really, what’s going to happen if I can’t do it? Asking myself that question took away my inner critic’s power and made sharing my goals not so scary.

So, let’s get to it. Here are my goals from now until November 30th:

• Write 20 guest posts. {I know this sounds like a lot, but I’m pretty intense. Plus, I love to write}
• Interview 4 artists/crafters and post those podcasts.
• Sell 20 items from our Etsy shop.
• Launch our first online product. {more about this to come soon}
• Gain 100 more blog and newsletter subscribers.
• Publish two free ebooks.
• Continue to post 5 times per week on Blacksburg Belle.

I think it’s going to take a lot of hard work to reach those goals, but I’m down for working really hard. In fact, I love to work hard. And I’ll share my results with you on December 1st.

If you want to help me reach my goals, you could:

• Subscribe to my blog and newsletter {if you’re not already subscribed}
• Invite me to guest post on your blog {contact me at blacksburgbelle@gmail.com}
• Take a look at our Etsy shop, and keep us in mind when you do your holiday shopping
• Or just send me a note of encouragement!

What goals do you have that seem too scary too share? What’s holding you back? And what’s the worst that can happen if you don’t reach those goals? If you really think about it, I bet it’s not as bad as it seems.