What if the voice in your head isn’t the truth—but just a well-worn neural habit?
When we think the same thoughts repeatedly, it creates a pathway that makes it increasingly easy for these thoughts to come up. For people with a critical inner voice, this can be a tough cycle to break.
The good news is that we can practice choosing better, more productive thoughts—creating new neural pathways that help these positive thoughts come more naturally.
Here I will address how neuroplasticity teaches us that we can retrain that voice, and in doing so, change how we lead and live.
Understanding Your Inner Critic
To successfully change your thoughts, you first have to understand where they come from.
Maybe your inner dialogue often says, “I am not good enough to be in this position.” Think back to your childhood. Have you heard these words, or something similar, from someone in your life? Maybe a coach who never gave you a chance, or a parent who seemed to criticize your every move? While sometimes painful, uncovering these impactful moments demystifies their effect—allowing you to view the situation more objectively. This improves your ability to discern what’s true from what’s not—fact from fiction.
In my workshops, I guide participants to tap into their inner dialogue and observe (and write down) which recurring thoughts are the loudest in their brain. This can be a helpful exercise in identifying what may be holding you back from feeling confident, empowered, and, well, good in your skin. Writing your thoughts on paper can allow you to examine them with a bit more objectivity and explore how they may be manifesting in your daily life.
Next time you hear your inner voice saying, “I am not good enough to be in this position,” understand that you may be hearing it because of your lived experience—a particular interaction or relationship from your past—not because it’s true. Putting in the effort to understand and unpack your self-limiting thoughts can empower you to choose different thoughts that will embolden instead of drain you.
Choosing Better Thoughts
“Choosing better thoughts” is not as easy as a one-off decision to think happy thoughts. Rather, it depends on a consistent practice (like with any new skill) of reframing self-limiting thoughts.
For example, next time you hear your inner dialogue say, “I am not good enough to be in this position,” you can challenge that belief with facts—for example, reflect on the past accomplishments that led to your current role.
The Power of Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s remarkable ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. In simple terms, it means our thoughts and behaviors can physically reshape our brain’s wiring. The more we practice reframing negative thoughts, the easier it becomes to shift toward empowering, constructive patterns. Over time, choosing more positive thoughts moves from being a conscious effort to a natural reflex.
Neuroplasticity in Practice
Here are a few tangible, everyday strategies to help you actively reshape your inner dialogue:
- Mindfulness practices like meditation and journaling allow you to observe self-critical thoughts with curiosity, creating space to reframe them into expressions of self-compassion and understanding.
- Gratitude and positive affirmations help to counterbalance negative self-talk, training your brain to focus on what’s working and enhancing your overall sense of well-being.
- Cognitive behavioral techniques empower you to challenge self-limiting beliefs and replace them with more constructive, reality-based perspectives that drive growth and resilience.
Of course, it’s important to experiment and find strategies that work for you. Meditation, for example, isn’t for everyone—and that’s perfectly fine. There’s a wealth of other mindfulness practices, well-supported by research. Even something as simple as a walk outdoors can offer powerful benefits. Studies from Stanford University show that walking in natural settings reduces mental fatigue and boosts creative thinking by up to 60%. Research conducted at Harvard University highlights how physical movement and time in nature lower stress hormones and improve emotional well-being. If stillness doesn’t suit you, let nature set the pace. Sometimes, the most effective reset isn’t about pausing—it’s about moving forward, step by step.
By consistently engaging in these practices, you’re not just thinking differently—you’re rewiring your brain for greater clarity, confidence, and emotional strength.
Conclusion
Whatever strategies you choose to harness neuroplasticity and reshape your inner dialogue, consistency is key. Just as muscles need regular exercise to build strength, your brain requires ongoing practice to reinforce new neural pathways. Think of it as repaving a road—each time you engage in these practices, you’re laying down fresh layers, making the route smoother and more automatic over time.
Every thought is a possibility. And practice makes possible.
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