SILENCING THE INNER CRITIC

June 2026

S.T.O.P. YOUR INNER CRITIC

Is your leadership style marked by joy or judgment? Have you lost your happiness and creativity? If so, take a moment to evaluate whether you have become too critical of yourself and others. You may have fleeting moments of happiness or even a night of laughter, but are they short-lived because your inner critic starts in again?

Joy and criticism cannot coexist. When you choose to be judgmental and critical, you turn in your joy card.

Secure and confident people have a radiant, contagious peace that allows them to enjoy the journey without a constant need to judge themselves or others.

Insecure people, on the other hand, often judge others to find temporary relief from their own inner critic. Nothing is ever good enough. Some even believe their relentless "never-good-enough" attitude is what motivates them to succeed. I believe that is a lie. There is nothing joyful about negative motivation, and eventually it affects everyone around you. It is old-school leadership at its worst.

We believe you can experience healthy contentment and joy that actually creates more energy, vision, and passion to lead others forward. Joy fuels purpose and vision, pulling you toward who you were created to be. Guilt, on the other hand, drags you along with a ball and chain, constantly whispering that you're still not good enough.

When you find yourself talking or thinking in a judgmental way, remember to S.T.O.P.

Here are four quick ways to silence the negative critic and become both a giver and receiver of joy.

STOP!

S — Separate your expectations from your personal preferences to better see reality and encourage creativity.

T — Thankful. It's hard to be critical and thankful at the same time. Choose gratitude.

O — Overlook or confront? If you're not going to confront it, then overlook it. If you can't overlook it, then confront it. Don't allow yourself another option.

P — Perspective. Is what you're worked up about worth giving up your joy?

I invite you to honestly evaluate your leadership, beginning with your inner life. Your inner critic offers one of the poorest returns on your emotional energy. It makes you look smaller and more insecure than you really are. You have so much to offer. Don't settle.

Stop justifying a cynical, critical spirit. Replace it with joy.

Remember what Henry Ford said, "If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right."

Hold on to your joy card!

Coaching Reflection:

1. What can I be thankful for this week?
2. What negative motivation needs to be exposed and erased?

Be The Best You Can Be, Today!

Your Coach,

P.S. Personal Sutherland Family update which is never boring. Right now, we are on our traditional camping vacation for the 4th of July weekend. Shandel Group has been serving clients for 26 years and it is more of a joy than ever to see generations of leaders growing to new levels. If you have a success story, we would love to hear from you. We keep giggling at our little side hustle, Sierra Bella Lanes, which is still fun…even though we barely know what we are doing running a bowling alley and restaurant! We have added live music to our outdoor space which is fun. So, if you have a band that wants to play, let us know. LOL!  Our little Alley Church brings us joy as well as we are 3 years into it. We are still marveling at the years and years of investment into people and purpose. We are happy, joyful, and living our purpose. Not much more to report, but we wish you an incredible 4th of July weekend as we celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary. We are grateful.

Christmas is only 6 months away…don’t forget how much I LOVE ALL YOUR Christmas cards so update my address: PO Box 1084 Quincy, CA 95971

Happy 250th America!

Scott and Shandel Sutherland