Do you talk to yourself too? Or is it just me…

Core Article: Do you talk to yourself too? Or is it just me…

Paragraph I’m Pondering: “There is nothing more important to true growth than…”

Powerful Affirmations to Inspire: “The more I give, the more I receive. I am abundant in every way.”

Book Review: The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Self by Michael Singer

Cool Stuff: It’s Christmas trivia at its best!

AI Info & Resources: Need help with last-minute holiday shopping? Can AI really help?

Do you talk to yourself too? Or is it just me…

I feel like most of my life, I’ve been on this quest of discovery and deep diving into tons of knowledge, courses, programs, and more.

It’s hard to explain where this comes from. At this point, it feels like it’s simply part of my DNA.

One of the things I’ve been doing for years is paying attention to my intuition, which I shared a lot about before. (Curious? Simply go here https://shannonmcc.com/ and search “intuition,” and you’ll see all I’ve written about it.)

Remember, it’s that still, small voice that speaks to you in a positive tone, sometimes with a few words or maybe just one. That’s actually how I write this email each week. 🙂

On a related note, I was listening to Adam Grant’s Originals: How NonConformists Move The World, where he shared some fascinating research on procrastination. Turns out, you’re often more creative when you’re under a deadline. Yet, it’s not really about procrastination.

The most successful people in the study had started their task or project—they just finished it closer to the deadline. And they came up with so many more creative ideas.

Grant also shared how Martin Luther King Jr. finished his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech just hours before he delivered it.

Listening to this, I totally understood and saw myself. I write these emails maybe 1 or 2 days before I send them. Sometimes, it’s the day I have to send it. And they come from another place. And I just write…

Now, let’s get back to the focus of this email….

It’s actually about the opposite of that still small voice. You know the one I mean—that other voice in your head that likes to tear you down, question everything, and overthink all the things. Some people call it their “inner critic” or “internal critical voice.”

It’s the voice that shows up uninvited—when someone’s talking, and you’re just trying to stay present. Meanwhile, it’s whispering not-so-nice things like, “You don’t belong here.” Or worse, it tries to convince you to bolt out of the room.

So, what do you do?

For years, I didn’t know what to do with it. Then, When I got sober, I started talking back. (Yeah, I know, it sounds kind of crazy, yet it actually does work. 🙂

At first, I’d say things in my head, such as “No, stop talking.” Or “Nope, not listening, you need to go now.”

And when that voice got especially harsh, I’d actually talk back out loud. (Yeah, I know—now I sound really crazy, right?! 😉 And yep, it helped.)

What you need to know is your inner critic is not you. It’s just a voice. One that tries to keep you safe but often gets it wrong.

Over time, through meditation, being present, and really listening to my thoughts, I was able to notice and quiet that voice. It started becoming… kinder.

Now? I treat that voice like an old friend. We laugh and joke. I might say, “Oh, there you are again,” and send it on its way. I definitely don’t let it talk me into things I don’t want to do or, worse—be cruel to me.

The good news: You can talk back to it, too. You can remind that voice who’s running the show. (Hint: It’s you.) And tell it, “You are not welcome here any longer. It’s time for you to go.”

Here are 5 things you can try on your journey of noticing—and quieting—that inner critical voice:

Name That Voice: Give it a funny or lighthearted name—like “Negative Nancy” or “Doubtful Dave.” By naming it, that takes its power away. Suddenly, it’s just a pesky guest, not part of you.
Talk Back with Kindness: When it shows up, respond as you would to a struggling friend. Try, “I hear you, but that’s not helpful right now,” or “Thanks, but I’m choosing kinder thought.”
Reframe the Thought: Flip those harsh words into something supportive and true. If it says, “You’re not good enough,” remind it, “I’m learning, growing, and doing my best—and that’s enough.”
Interrupt the Cycle: Break the pattern with a physical reset—shake it off, take a deep breath, or move your body. The quickest way out of your head is to move your body. Even a little walk can shift the energy.
Focus on the Still, Small Voice: When the inner critic gets loud, your intuition—the softer, wiser voice—gets drowned out. Pause. Breathe. Ask yourself, “What does my most loving, highest self want me to know right now?”

As you immerse yourself in the holiday festivities, this might just be what you need to keep your sanity intact. I know when I’m around family, I haven’t seen in a while—or who voted in the election differently than I did, that’s when I need these tools the most.

This one thing could help you step into 2025 with a new sense of freedom.

I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season.

Personal Note:

I’m excited to share something special with you. I’m putting together a small, intimate cohort of mindful, purpose-driven entrepreneurs for a beta run of my 7-Step Soulful Marketing System.

This isn’t just about marketing—it’s about aligning your business with your purpose, crafting your authentic voice, and attracting your dream clients so you can build a thriving, impactful business that feels right to you.

We’ll work closely together, with plenty of hand-holding and coaching from me to guide you every step of the way. Since this is a beta version, the investment will be 75% less than the full program—a win for both of us as I fine-tune the experience with your feedback.

If this feels like the right fit for you, click here to send me a note. I’d love to share more details. We’re aiming to kick things off in late January.

Let’s make 2025 the year you align your business with your soul and start attracting the clients you’re meant to serve.

There will be no newsletter next week. I will see you back here in 2025 on January 2.
Until then, be kind to yourself. 🙂
It’s gonna be an amazing 2025!

Paragraph I’m Pondering

“There is nothing more important to true growth than realizing that you are not the voice of the mind – you are the one who hears it… If you’re willing to be objective and watch all your thoughts, you will see that the vast majority of them have no relevance. They have no effect on anything or anybody, except you.” ~ Michael Singer, The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Self

Powerful Affirmations to Inspire

“Every dollar I spend comes back to me multiplied, enriching my life and others’.”
“I release all resistance to financial success and embrace wealth as my divine birthright.”
“The more I give, the more I receive. I am abundant in every way.”

Book Review
This is one of the best books I’ve found to help me “tame my thoughts.”

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Self by Michael Singer

Cool Stuff

32 interesting Christmas facts for trivia night, just in time for holiday parties.
Is the sugar in fruit is bad for us? I eat a heck of a lot of it – ummmm…
Who else likes a Christmas dog shelter miracle?

AI Info and Resources

The UK has the world’s first AI camera that will find drunk drivers and alert authorities…
Using AI to help you with your Christmas list, you might want to think again.
The fear of losing your voice by using AI more on your devices? This is interesting.

Weekly Photos

Here’s one of Emma’s and my outtakes. We do our best to get one or two good selfies, and there are a lot that just don’t ever see the light of day, except this one with her tongue sticking out. I’m not sure she likes selfies all that much!
Alice and I were at her holiday awards dinner at the hospital. I’m so, so proud of her. She was honored and chosen by her peers as the Advanced Provider Physician’s Assistant of the Year.
Emma and her sleepy self. I so tire her out on our walks.
Loving this sunrise picture of Mt. Lassen. There are so many sweet colors painted across the sky.
Look at all the clouds hiding the mountain. I thought this was kind of cool, almost like a curtain. (You can see the full Shasta Bally picture below.
We needed a Christmas photo of Emma, and this seemed appropriate!
There’s Shasta Bally in all her sunrise, snow-filled, cloudy glory.

Did someone forward this to you? If so, get this eNewsletter regularly with my compliments by clicking this link. And if you’re in the mood to share, simply send this URL to others: https://www.soulfulmarketingsystem.com/soulful-marketing-enewsletter.

I appreciate your sharing. Thank you!

And if you decide that we need to break up 🙁 It’s hard, I know. You can unsubscribe from this eNewsletter instantly. (Scroll down to the bottom of this email and hit the “unsubscribe” button.) I promise no crying on your email doorstep, no sad-faced, tear-smeared goodbyes. And no more emails – so you sure you wanna go? 😉 Ok, no hard feelings, I understand. And if you feel up to it, I’d love to know why you’re leaving. I’m always trying to make this eNewsletter better and better. Thank you!

Some legalese: Copyright © 2024 SoulfulMarketing.com All rights reserved. SoulfulMarketing.com is a division of McCaffery Communications LLC. All rights reserved. You may forward this to others. Yet, no reproducing, republishing in any other form or by any other means without written permission from McCaffery Communications LLC.

Let’s Connect on Social Media!
Facebook

Instagram

Please follow and like us: