July 3, 2023

Taming the Gremlins Within: Fearless Strategies for Success

We all have those nagging voices in our heads—the ones that whisper doubt. Sow seeds of fear… And hold us back from reaching our true potential. 

I like to refer to these inner voices as our "inner gremlins." 

They are the self-sabotaging thoughts and beliefs that hinder our progress and keep us trapped in our comfort zones. 

The good news is it’s possible to work with your inner gremlins. The more we learn to work with them, the better equipped we are to face our fears head on. 



Work “With” Your Inner Gremlins


I used to think that I had to fight my inner gremlins. Many years ago, I discovered it’s much more productive to work with them. 

Let me share a story….

When I hit my rock bottom on that park bench….. I discovered that I was allowing my gremlins to run rampant. 

They shared stories of…

  • Victimhood–”You’re the victim here. There’s nothing you can do. Everything is against you. You are powerless.” 
  • Helplessness –”You can’t change this. There’s no hope for you.” 
  • Pity–”You deserve sympathy, handouts and pity.”
  • Fear–”The world is a scary, unfair place. There’s no point in trying. Bad things will happen to you. You don’t deserve to be seen and heard.”

Even writing this, I can feel that old exhaustion and hamster wheel…

It was life sucking. Soul depleting. Depressing….heavy….

But when I started to bring to the light what my gremlins were saying, I took back my power.

When we shine light on our inner voice and gremlins, it makes them less scary.

It brings what’s been hiding in the shadows to the light…so we can work with it. 

And when we name our gremlins, it gives us a new playful way to work “with” them. 

Stop fighting or denying your gremlins. It’s pointless…

Let’s explore what inner gremlins are. How they relate to our inner critic. And dig into strategies you can use to conquer them. 

What are Inner Gremlins?

Inner gremlins are the negative thoughts.  And self-limiting beliefs that reside within us. 

They are the critical voices that whisper, "You're not good enough," "You'll fail," or "You don't deserve success." 

These gremlins thrive on our fears and insecurities. They often stem from past experiences, societal pressures, or unrealistic expectations we place upon ourselves.

Our inner critic is closely related to our gremlins. 

It is the voice that amplifies our fears, doubts, and insecurities. The inner critic feeds off our vulnerabilities. This makes us question our abilities and reinforces negative self-talk. 

Recognize the connection between our inner gremlins and the inner critic and you can break free from the cycle.


 Strategies to Overcome Inner Gremlins:

  1. Awareness and Identification: 

Start by becoming aware of your gremlin's voice. 

Pay attention to the negative thoughts and beliefs that arise when you face challenges or step out of your comfort zone. 

Identify the patterns and triggers that activate your gremlins…..

This will allow you to confront them head-on.

 2. Challenge Your Beliefs: 

Question the validity of your gremlin's messages. 

Ask yourself, "Is this belief serving me?" 

Often, you'll realize that these beliefs are based on assumptions or past experiences….that no longer hold true. 

Challenge and reframe these beliefs with positive, empowering statements.

 3. Embrace Vulnerability:

 Acknowledge that vulnerability is a natural part of growth. 

Understand that it takes courage to face your fears and move forward despite them. 

Embrace vulnerability as an opportunity for personal and professional development.  Know that growth often happens outside of your comfort zone.

4. Cultivate Self-Compassion: 

Replace self-criticism with self-compassion. 

Treat yourself with kindness, understanding, and forgiveness. 

Remember that everyone faces fears and self-doubt at some point. 

Remind yourself that making mistakes is a stepping stone to success. And that failure is a valuable teacher.

5. Set Realistic Goals: 

Break down your goals into smaller, achievable steps. 

By setting realistic goals, you build momentum and gain confidence along the way. 

Celebrate each milestone, no matter how small. 

Fuel your motivation with these celebrations. And this will silence the gremlin's negativity.

 Need Help?

If you'd like guidance and support to identify and conquer your inner gremlins, I'm here to help. 

As a coach, I've assisted numerous individuals, like you. I help them in their journey to silence their gremlins and unlock their true potential.

If you're ready to break free from the grips of self-sabotage, I encourage you to schedule a call with me. 

During our conversation, we’ll:

  • Discuss your unique challenges
  • Explore strategies tailored to your needs
  • Build a roadmap for personal and professional growth

Don't let your gremlins hold you back any longer. 

I believe in you. You’ve got this!


Book Your Call Today

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