Silencing Your Inner Critic as an Introverted Entrepreneur

Woman stretching, wearing sage coloured yoga gears with sage water bottle for blog post 4 niching myths debunked

I would like to talk about that little gremlin in your head. You know, the one that pipes up right as you’re about to do something brave, like launching a new offer or posting your thoughts online. “You are not ready” it whispers. Or “You are totally going to screw this up.” Ugh, rude, right?

That gremlin, a.k.a. your inner critic, isn’t just annoying, it is actively sabotaging you. And it’s time we showed it the door. You agree? Good. Let’s look at how you can kick that self-doubt to the curb and run your business with confidence.

Before we tackle how to silence it, let’s call out some of the most common lies your inner critic likes to peddle:

“You’re not good enough.”
“People will see right through you.”
“You’ll never succeed like this person you follow on social media.”
“Why bother? You’ll just fail.”

Sound familiar? I wish they didn’t, but remember, these fears aren’t unique to you, and they’re simply not true. But they do thrive in the shadows of self-doubt and perfectionism—a favorite hiding place for introverts.

Why Do Introverts Feel the Sting More?

As introverted entrepreneurs, we’re inherently reflective and cautious. While those traits make us great listeners and thoughtful decision-makers, they also mean we tend to over analyze and second-guess ourselves. Throw in a world that seems to reward loud, flashy confidence, and it’s no wonder our inner critic is extra chatty.

But guess what? Success doesn’t require you to be the loudest in the room, just the most authentic. And that is not possible when the gremlins are running the show.

My First Run-In with a Gremlin

When I was 9 or 10 years old, I was in art class, I was chatting with a friend about a movie I’d seen over the weekend. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was right after morning recess, and the room was buzzing with energy. Everyone was loud and excited, and I was going on and on about how I’d finally been allowed to watch Ghoulies. (which was a total rip off of Gremlins, but I digress)

My friend thought I was talking about the movie Gremlins, and just as the teacher advised the class to quiet down, I said—at full volume—“No, the one in the toilet!” To a dead silent room.

Cue the laughter and my face turning 50 shades of red. I’m pretty sure that was the first time I ever truly felt embarrassed. From that moment on, Gremlins—both the movie monsters and the little voice in my head—haunted me. That was the day my inner critic moved in, whispering things like, “Be quiet” and “Just don’t, you will embarrass yourself.”

Who knew that years later, I’d learn “Gremlin” is actually what many people call their inner critic? Totally fitting! So, how do I battle these little guys? Let me tell you.

Five Steps to Shush That Inner Critic

Name It and Shame It– Give your inner critic a ridiculous name, like “Naggy Nellie” or the classic “Debbie Downer.” Every time it pops up, call it out: “Oh, look, it’s Naggy Nellie again with her same tired script.” This simple act creates distance between you and the negative voice.

Flip the Script– When your inner critic says, “You are not ready,” flip it: “I’m excited to start.” Replace fear-based thoughts with empowering ones. It’s not just woo-woo nonsense—your brain believes what you tell it.

Stack the Evidence– Create a “Brag File.” Every time you receive a compliment, land a new client, or hit a milestone, grab your business journal and write it down. When the inner critic rears its ugly head, whip that baby out and remind yourself of your wins.

Progress Over Perfection– The inner critic loves to paralyze you with perfectionism. Remind yourself that progress beats perfection every time. It’s better to post a slightly imperfect blog or reel than to hide your brilliance because you’re waiting for perfection.

Set Boundaries with Yourself– Schedule regular breaks and stick to them. When you’re overworked, your inner critic’s voice gets louder. Treat rest as a non-negotiable business strategy.

Silencing your inner critic isn’t about making it disappear forever. (Spoiler: it won’t.) Instead, it’s about learning to manage it and, over time, transforming it from a harsh critic into a cautious cheerleader. Yes, your inner voice can evolve with practice.

Because when you stop second-guessing every decision, you become confident when you hit “post” on that Instagram reel or pitch your dream client. You take calculated risks that push your business forward. You will no longer be held back by “what ifs,” finally focusing on the business you’re meant to build.

Sounds dreamy, right? That’s what’s waiting on the other side of taming your inner critic and putting that Gremlin back in the toilet, where he came from.

Your Next Step

Don’t let that voice in your head stop you from creating the business (and life) you deserve.

Start today by naming your inner critic and taking one small, soul-aligned action you’ve been avoiding. Need more tips? Sign up for my free newsletter, Aligned & Empowered, for weekly insights and strategies designed just for introverted entrepreneurs like you. Let’s quiet that inner critic and turn your dreams into your reality—together.