56. What is the purpose of self-criticism and what to do about it

Self-criticism is a classic playing-it-safe move. What are the
harsh criticisms that your mind come up with? How do you handle
them? Do you try to replace them with positive thoughts? Do you
do more with your life? Do you try to prove yourself that you are
an okay person?


I ask all these questions to Dr. Christopher Willard, an expert
on mindfulness and self-compassion.


In my conversation with Chris you will hear about:





The purpose or the function of self-criticism. Why do we do
it?

The difference between self-compassion and self-esteem

How to handle thoughts like “harsh criticism motivates me or
I don’t deserve to be kind to myself”

The difference between gratitude practices and toxic
positivity

How to practice gratitude

What the default mode network is

Chris’s upcoming book on resilience

How to develop a perspective-taking.






Chris is a psychologist and an educational consultant,
specializing in mindfulness. He serves on the board of directors
at the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy, and is the
president of the Mindfulness in Education Network. He is the
author of Child’s Mind (2010), Growing Up Mindful (2016), Raising
Resilience (2017), and eight other books for parents,
professionals, and children. He also teaches at Harvard Medical
School.


(*) Show notes and resources of this episode


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(*) Figure out your playing-it-safe profile in 5 minutes
and identify the key thinking strategies that keep you living in
your head


(*) Learn ACT skills for anxious achievers by taking Dr.
Z. ACT courses


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