Dear Fortitude family,

Welcome back to my midweek motivation! Each day and week brings its own set of experiences and inspirations, compelling me to share my thoughts with all of you.

Let’s talk about that inner critic in all of us…

Now, this may be controversial, but it is actually very beneficial to be hard on ourselves. Demanding excellence from our efforts and performances can make a significant difference between being good, great, and even elite. In the mindset world, this can be a polarizing topic as we want to avoid being self-destructive with our internal communication. However, it ultimately comes down to knowing ourselves and how we respond to negative or positive energy.

It is important to acknowledge that some individuals speak extremely negatively with their internal dialogue and it actually works for them. I know a lot of people who dominate their space in this way. As long as they can navigate that space without letting it bleed into other aspects of their lives, it can be advantageous. However, if speaking negatively to oneself leads to a negative downward spiral, it is crucial to take a step back and re-evaluate the best way to hold oneself accountable.

Speaking from personal experience, I am incredibly hard on myself. I am acutely aware of every misstep I take, every area in which I fail, and when I am being lazy or unproductive. When I fall below my own standard of excellence, I do not give myself a pass. There is no pat on the back or excuse-making. Instead, I immediately seek solutions to ensure I do not miss the mark two days in a row.

It is important to note that while I am hard on myself, I am also my biggest supporter when I have earned it. Before a competition (yes, I still compete, albeit from a different perspective), I become my ultimate hype man. I consistently reaffirm the work I have put in and remind myself that I am the best in the world, even if I am not yet. You have to believe you’re the best before you can ever become the best. My actions and preparation allow those affirmations to be legitimate. However, it is essential to remember that no amount of positive self-talk can save us from being unprepared. Words must be backed by actions, and it is through actions that I can speak confidence into my life.

Now, what will work for you? Here is my inner critic checklist:

1. What did I do well? What did I do poorly? Did I meet my own standard?

2. Why did I do well or poorly? Was it luck, poor competition, lack of preparation, or was it just an off day?

3. What was my level of preparation and competence going into the event?

4. Did I truly earn my result?

5. What can I change or enhance?

6. What energy did I bring today and leading up to today? Did it affect my overall mood and the way I interacted with others?

7. Was I truly locked in?

Our inner critic comes from self-awareness. I have realized that I can use negative energy to enhance my performance mid-game, or when I am holding myself accountable for a result below my standard. However, I have also learned that I cannot live in that negative space. When I do, it impacts my relationships with the people I care about, especially my relationship with myself. I now know when to pull the lever of negativity and when to shut it off.

So, let me reiterate: there is not a single successful person in the world who isn't hard on themselves. It is about learning how to be the critic that drives further action and success. There is no one-size-fits-all model; it is about learning about ourselves through trial and error. Set your standards, be honest with yourself, and put in the work.

To Building Fortitude.

Warm regards,

Colin Jonov CEO & Founder, Athletic Fortitude

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