that somehow “Jim’s” behavior had put everybody in danger. Critics
respond to fear. That’s when they attack. That’s also why it is so
hard for people to change: because all change involves fear, and
fear activates the critic. The critic, being clever and knowledgeable
about all your weak spots, will convince you to stay put. Change
is tough because you are battling a worthy opponent—and creativ-
ity is a form of change, a new way of seeing things. Therefore,
creativity is nearly impossible if you have a strong inner critic.
The strategy for transforming the critic is to assume a neutral
position and listen to the critic rant until the energy shifts and the
soft underbelly is revealed. It takes patience and discipline. Here’s
an actual excerpt from my journal:Aware Ego: So, how are you feeling about Jim today?
Critic: I’m disgusted with him, he’s a spineless coward.
Aware Ego: How so?
Critic: On the phone today with that client, Jim completely folded.
Anyone could have stood up to that bully. But not Jim. Instead,
he tries to make the guy his best friend. The fool. He’s such a
phony. I’m ashamed of him.
Aware Ego: So, you think Jim is a phony?
Critic: Oh God, don’t start that psychobabble crap with me. You
sound like Jim when he facilitates off-sites. He can use that horse
dung with his clients but don’t sling it around here. I’ll puke.
(This sort of venting continues for several pages and then the
tone changes.)
Aware Ego: It sounds like you’re scared.
Critic: I am scared. Jim left a perfectly good job and is trying to
run his own business. But there’s no way of knowing if it will
work. And there is no steady check coming in. And that client
who was upset today is the biggest source of revenue. Jim should
have handled that better, he should have known his material better,
he should have followed up sooner. I’m just really scared that
this isn’t going to work. I mean he’s up against the big boys now.
You can’t fake it when there’s just you. He’s out there for every-
one to see.The Creative Investor 13514-25 ware 135 1/19/01, 1:14 PM