Psychological
What if self-criticism isn't actually motivating?
That voice tearing you apart after a mistake? It feels like it's keeping standards high. Like without it, you'd fall apart. But Neff's research points to something counterintuitive: self-criticism doesn't make people try harder. It makes them afraid to try at all.
With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness we would give to a good friend.— Kristin Neff
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The thinker
Pioneer of Self-Compassion Research
Kristin Neff is an associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and one of the leading researchers on self-compassion.
Based on The Space Between Self-Esteem and Self Compassion: Kristin Neff at TEDxCentennialParkWomen, summarised and reframed by Insights.
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