Description

How loud is the voice in your head that tells you you’re not good enough, or worries you’re about to mess things up? Welcome to week five of Now Go Create’s Summer School with Claire Bridges. This week’s creative nudge is all about noticing your self-talk and learning how to shift that critical inner voice into something much kinder (and more helpful for your creativity).

The short voice note podcast this week is from hypnotherapist James Mallinson. Whether you’re poolside or taking a break from work, this nudge is designed to help you identify negative self-talk and transform it into something that better serves you.

Highlights:

1. Claire introduces summer’s fifth “Creative Nudge” and explains the value of tuning into your internal dialogue
2. Special guest James Mallinson shares why your inner critic is often “dripping poison in your head” and what to do about it
3. Step-by-step guidance on recognising negative self-talk (including not just the words, but the harsh tone and speed)
4. Tips for crafting your own punchy, positive alternative
5. Smart ideas to reinforce your new voice
6. Why research supports this approach: shifting your internal voice boosts resilience and creativity
7. Bonus encouragement to practice this nudge all week, and share your experience with Claire.

Your Creative Challenge:

Next time you catch yourself ‘talking down’ to yourself, pause. Write down what you said, note how and when it showed up, then fight fire with fire. Create a new phrase that’s as punchy and personal as your negativity, but positive and constructive. Repeat it until it sticks! As James says: “Start talking in your head with that new voice. Say it again and again and again.”

Bonus:

Interested in going deeper? Listen back to the full Inner Critic episode 18 with James Mallinson.

What is the Creative Nudge Summer School:

1. A free, six-week email series dropping into your in-box each week, get a simple creative tool or tip from Claire
2. A partner podcast episode to help you go deeper and learn on the move
3. A practical worksheet or prompt to instantly apply the nudge to real work or life projects
4. An optional “buddy system” to check in and share learnings boosting accountability and connection
5. A short, snappy WhatsApp-style audio note from Claire with bonus stories and inspiration
6. All the resources and worksheets are yours to download for your own use or for running creative sessions with your team.

Claire’s approach is all about building creative agility and confidence through small, consistent habits so you finish the summer with a toolkit you can actually use. At the end, you’ll receive a creative habit map to guide your next steps.

Interested? The first email drops July 16th, and you can join any time for the full six-week journey.

Sign up for the weekly email nudges and workbook: