Topic: Freedom from the Inner Critic 

Speaker: Elizabeth Pyjov,  Lawyer and Compassion Expert Facilitator

Presentation:
One of the biggest roadblocks for professionals is how hard they are on themselves. Research suggests that a strong inner critic leads to procrastination, anxiety, and burnout, while self-compassion is the key to resilience and productivity.

This interactive workshop takes a scientific, evolutionary perspective on the inner critic to uncover how the inner critic was created, what purpose it serves, and how we can transform harsh judgments into wise discernments. 

Some topics we will address include: Is it possible to motivate ourselves without self-criticism? How does easing the inner critic lead to better mental health? How does self-compassion impact the body and brain? How is self-compassion different from self-indulgence and self-esteem? How does the brain change as the inner critic eases? What are some tools for working with the inner critic?

We will use psychological strategies, wisdom from ancient cultures, and meditation to break free from a harsh inner voice, and find empowering ways to think about the past, present, and future.

Learning Objectives: 

❉  Understand what happens in the body and brain when you criticize yourself or others.

❉  Learn how to motivate yourself to achieve your highest goals without resorting to an inner critic.

❉  Discover why self-compassion helps protect from burn-out and bolsters resilience.

❉  Try out practices that you can take with you and use in the moment to transition from criticism to helpful observations or discernments.

Speaker's Bio

Elizabeth is an entrepreneur, layer facilitator, speaker, compassion expert, and leadership program creator.

She holds three Harvard degrees, speaks five languages, has lived in seven countries, and has taught 10,000 people resilience, mental strength, and happiness. Elizabeth studied neuroscience at Stanford Medical School and brings brain science to every program she designs and facilitates.

Her past experience includes working as an Investment Funds attorney at Sidley Austin, human rights work at the United Nations, and investigations for the New York Attorney General’s Office.

Elizabeth is the founder and director of three organizations. Through Lead with Compassion she collaborates with some of the most successful companies in the world to offer trainings.  Through her non-profit Compassionate World she works with universities and non-profit organizations.  Finally, she offers programs for the general public through Happiness Sangha.

Elizabeth has taught at Stanford University, Harvard Law School, Columbia University, NYU Medical School, the Library of Congress, the Carlyle Group, the New York Appellate Court and top law firms and financial institutions. She combines what she learned about ritual and meaning at Harvard Divinity School, her literature degree from Harvard College, neuroscience studies at Stanford Medical School, the rigor of Harvard Law School and her time studying with the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Jon Kabat-Zinn to think outside the box and address modern challenges  Elizabeth loves helping organizations build more compassionate culture and helping individuals find their own unique path to happiness.