Turn the critic off

Part of the work we do when we practise is self-criticism. We need to practise a lot, so we spend a lot of time criticising ourselves. But…

…but self-criticism can be deadly for creation. It prevents us from entering into flow, the psychological state in which we perform at our best. As the wonderful Sister Corita Kent wrote: “Don’t try to create and analyze at the same time. They’re different processes.”

That’s why, if we want to be good musicians—and happier humans—we need to practise turning the critic off.

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This post is part of the “Thinking deeper” series, where I reflect on creativity, learning, teaching and kindness. What do you think? How do you know when you need your inner critic, and how do you know when you to turn them off?