We all have that little voice in our heads—the one that whispers doubts, magnifies mistakes, and convinces us we’re not good enough. But if you really listen, it’s not just one voice. It’s an entire committee of inner critics, feeding you every reason why you can’t, shouldn’t, or won’t succeed.
This committee enforces the rules that the various parts of ourselves (our Pleaser part, Achiever part, Perfectionist part, etc.) have developed to keep us safe and protected. The committee thrives on fear, comparison, and self-doubt. It tells you you’re not ready, that you’ll fail just like last time, that everyone else has it figured out but you. And the worst part? We believe it. We let these unqualified voices shape our choices, keeping us stuck, small, and afraid to take up space.
It’s sneaky, too. It disguises itself as logic, calling itself “being realistic.” It claims to be protecting us from failure or keeping us safe when, in reality, it’s only protecting us from growth. The truth is, you don’t have to listen. That committee doesn’t have the final say—you do.
So how do you shut it down?
- Call it out – Name the voices when they show up and understand what they are trying to protect you from. Recognize them for what they are: fear in disguise.
- Challenge the script – If you wouldn’t say those things to a close friend, why let them run on repeat in your own mind?
- Replace the criticism – Swap self-doubt for something more useful: compassion, encouragement, or curiosity about what might be possible if you didn’t believe the lies.
- Look for the absurdities – Often, what our parts think we need to be protected from is outdated, unnecessary, and even funny—take a moment to look for the humor in their statements.
And then, the most important part—act anyway. Fear doesn’t go away before you move; it quiets down after you prove it wrong.
This is exactly the kind of work we do at Vamonos Coaching. It’s not just about recognizing the negative voices—it’s about actively replacing them with something stronger, something more true. Through coaching, workshops, and retreats, we help you understand your parts and break free from the inner dialogue that’s keeping you stuck, and step into the confidence and clarity you need to move forward.
One of the best ways to quiet the Shitty Committee is by stepping away from the noise and giving yourself the space to reflect, reset, and reframe. Our Vamonos Experience Retreat is designed to help you do exactly that. In a supportive, empowering environment, you’ll:
- Identify and dismantle the limiting beliefs holding you back.
- Gain practical tools to rewrite your inner dialogue.
- Connect with like-minded people who are also ready to fire their Shitty Committees.
- Walk away with a clearer vision of what’s next—and the confidence to go after it.
Christine Wilson, a 2024 Vamonos Experience Retreat alumnus, reflects on her time in Oaxaca, saying, “I realized that my fears of failing were convincing me to not try new things. That shitty committee was getting in the way of exploration and enjoyment in my career. Once I looked at things with a new perspective, I turned that shitty committee’s volume down and went for what I wanted. Now, I have a thriving podcast that fuels my creative side, and I am far less afraid to try new things.”
You don’t have to navigate this alone. The voices of doubt may have been running the show for a while, but that ends now.
The Shitty Committee has no place running your life. It’s time to fire them and take back your power. Ready to quiet the noise and step into your potential? Let’s work together to reframe your mindset and build the confidence to take action.