Does the Quiet Critic show up during the "big thing" such that you know you're at that next level, yet you start questioning if you should be?

Recently my husband and I went to see one of our favorite bands at a concert, and it reminded me of when we watched them perform and receive their awards at the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Each of the inductees achieved some level of success to even be considered for this prestigious honor. They started with an idea, a big why, and a willingness to keep showing up. Even when it felt like there were crickets in the audience. Or maybe a few record sales. They were willing to own their greatness, get visible, and share their message. They persevered and built not only a catalog of work, but also a connection with their fans. People who wanted to hear music, experience a show in the way that specific performer could do.

It took time, courage, energy, practice and passion to perform at sold out arenas.

Yet, I would wager that performing on that stage had a different feel than performing at another event. This stage was next level for these performers.

And it's my perspective that that's when the Quiet Critic can show up.

Who are you to walk on this stage?
Is this a mistake and it wasn't for you?
Will you perform as well here as you have on previous stages?

We might even ask ourselves similar questions, like:

Who are you to share your message?
Will anyone listen?
Will they care?
Will you feel like a fool if it doesn't work out like you’d hoped?

But that's the thing about the Quiet Critic, you wouldn't be facing this challenge if you weren't ready for your next level.

It's showing up because you are the right person, and it's the right time, regardless of the outcome.

But that doesn't mean it's easy to overcome.

It's one thing to have thought about this new opportunity, but it's a whole new thing to actually experience it and know deep down, believe deep down, that you've got this, regardless how it turns out.

The Quiet Critic negatively challenges your willingness to be uncomfortable.

For instance, years ago when the only books I had in my backlog were the Einstein and Moo series, my picture books and activity book based on our family's tuxedo kitties, I did my first event at my local Barnes and Noble. It was huge to me to get to do. The day of the event, I felt the butterflies churning, and I wondered if they'd ever settle down. I had done hundreds of these events before, spoken to thousands of kids by this point, never mind my corporate experience being in front of people and coaching others to present themselves, but I felt the Quiet Critic asking, "Who are you to get to do this? Are your books good enough?"

But I reminded myself that I was following my passion and joy, honoring my big why, and consistently showing up. I reminded myself that I wasn't given these stories and the desire to publish them into books to stay small. As soon as I was set up for the event, the butterflies started flying in better formation, and I channeled that energy into the joy of being there.

New levels and new truths

The thing about new levels is that they present new truths. Things that worked for you in the beginning may no longer be true for you now, and that’s more than okay. It's also absolutely spot on for you to accept that new truth that you are an exceptional speaker or whatever your new level is for you because that is now part of your experience. All of those things have shaped you to get you to this new level, even if it feels beyond your reach. You grew out of your experiences because you faced your fear. Doing things out of your comfort zone, especially reaching for and moving into your next “big” level for you, creates new beliefs and truths for you.

Taking those steps to face the Quiet Critic and move past it so that you bounce back faster the next time it presents itself (because it will) is something you don't have to do alone.

Seeing, owning and communicating your authority, letting your brilliant light shine, can be the scariest thing to do.

Yet so is staying where you are. What felt expansive at first, has now contracted because you have grown, and it's time to expand again.

If you'd like to go deeper:

You Know It's a Verb, Right?

Leadership isn't something you earn once and then have. It's something you practice — every day, in every interaction, at every level of the work.

This book (which I had the joy of co-authoring) is for anyone who senses there's more to leadership than their title reflects — whether you're early in your journey, already leading a team, or running a business and realizing that leading yourself and your clients is its own kind of leadership. Using everyday language and real-life examples, it's a roadmap for the practice of becoming the leader you're already capable of being.

Because leadership doesn't happen because you sat in a classroom or earned a credential. It happens because you prepare for it.

Author Stylist Guide: Own Your Greatness, Get Visible, and Share Your Message

You published the book. Now the opportunity arrives — a book signing, a podcast invitation, a speaking engagement — and suddenly it's not about the writing anymore. It's about you, showing up, in real time, as the person behind the work.

Author Stylist Guide is for that moment. Not how to get more opportunities — how to make the most of the ones that come to you, so you show up with confidence, shine in the room, and let your book and message reach the people who actually need them.

You already have the courage and the gifts that got you here. This book helps you use them.