Silencing the inner critic

​Vincent van Gogh famously said, "If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." This quote is relevant not just for artists, but for anyone working hard towards their goals, including recreational runners.

When people ask me how I can train every day and keep myself motivated, I often oversimplify things by saying something like "It's my thing," "It's my daily practice," or "It helps me feel fulfilled for the day." But the truth is, training and running every day takes hard work, dedication, and a fighting spirit. I have a daily fight with my inner critic, which tries to hold me back. The only way to quiet it down for the day is to fully acknowledge it for what it is and respond with an "Ah, really?! But I am in charge here, and we do what I say" and keep pushing forward. This boosts my confidence, with a ripple effect on all aspects of my life.

We all have our fears, struggles, and inner voices to deal with. Silencing my running critic daily gives me confidence, and that rubs off in many other aspects of my life. So, to all the painters and runners, don't let that inner critic stop you from doing what you love.

Midweek long run with Gary