Speak to yourself as you would to others...

We all have an inner voice. The one that tells us we are doing well, but also the one that can sometimes be our harshest critic.

Whether you’re learning to fly, starting a new career, preparing for an interview or simply navigating a busy life, it’s easy to focus on what you could have done better. I should have known that. I could have done more. Everyone else seems to be ahead of me.

But would you speak to a friend the way you sometimes speak to yourself?

We’re often much more compassionate towards others than we are towards ourselves. If a friend made a mistake, we’d probably remind her that mistakes are part of learning, that she’s doing her best and that one difficult day doesn’t define her. So why is it so much harder to offer ourselves that same kindness?

Change the conversation

Being kind to yourself doesn’t mean lowering your standards or ignoring areas where you can improve. It means recognising that growth comes with setbacks, uncertainty and days when things don’t go to plan.

Instead of “I’m not good enough,” try “I’m still learning.”

Instead of “Everyone is ahead of me,” try “My journey is my own.”

And instead of “I failed,” ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?”

These small changes in the way we speak to ourselves can make a big difference to our confidence and resilience.

Be your own biggest supporter

A career in aviation can come with plenty of challenges, from exams and assessments to new environments and moments that push you outside your comfort zone. There will be times when you doubt yourself, and that’s completely normal.

What matters is what you say to yourself in those moments.

Celebrate the small wins. Give yourself credit for how far you’ve come. Allow yourself to make mistakes without letting them define you. And remember that you don’t have to have everything figured out to be moving in the right direction.

The next time your inner critic gets loud, pause and ask yourself: “What would I say to a friend going through this?”

Then try saying that to yourself.

Because you deserve the same encouragement, patience and belief that you so freely give to others.