2022-12-31 Sat 13:04 PM ![[moses_a_calm_and_serene_woman_in_a_summer_dress_her_shadow_is_m_494f0005-d9a6-421a-9dae-28453ae344fe.png]] One of the "tools" in [[Phil Stutz's "Tools" model]]. Use this one when you have a performance scenario coming up and you feel performance anxiety or insecurity. More than other tools, Stutz says, you have to practice this one in advance. You can't wait until the big moment to use it. So practice it when you find yourself worrying about something coming up in the future. Here's Stutz's model. That anxiety or insecurity you fear is attributable to the way that you're relating to your [[Shadow]]. > We think we know what makes us insecure—our appearance, level of education, or socio-economic status—but it's really something deep inside: the Shadow. It embodies all the negative traits we fear someone will see in us, so we spend a lot of time and energy hiding it.^[https://www.thetoolsbook.com/inner-authority] The idea is that when we're in that state of insecurity, the structure of that state is: - We have this Shadow inside of us. - We are ashamed of it. We are convinced that it is bad, and that we are bad for having it. - We feel that if our audience sees our Shadow, they will judge us, and that this will be terribly bad. - We feel that we have to hide the Shadow from our audience. - We have a guilty conscience. Here's how Stutz's tool upsets that disadvantageous situation. Rather than accepting the assumption that our Shadow is bad, we bond with the Shadow. We own it. We form an alliance with it. In so doing, *we* become the authority on whether we're good or bad. So we move from a state in which the authority is on the outside, judging us, to a state in which the authority is on the inside, supporting us. We go from a state of outer authority:^[Diagrams from [[Ref. Phil Stutz and Barry Michels 2012 - The Tools - 5 tools to help you find courage, creativity, and willpower]]] ![[Pasted image 20221231130715.png]] To a state of inner authority: ![[Pasted image 20221231131026.png]] **Inner Authority steps** 0. **Prerequisite** Make contact with a visual image of your shadow. > Close your eyes and imagine yourself in front of a person or group who makes you feel insecure. Focus on your body. Identify any of the symptoms of freezing we’ve mentioned. What is it like to try to express yourself in the face of these symptoms? > Focus on the emotions this brings up. Now push those feelings out in front of you and imagine they form a being with a face and body. 1. **Imagine you are on stage** Imagine that you’re standing in front of an audience of one or many. See an image of your Shadow off to one side, facing you. 2. **Bond with your shadow** Ignore the audience completely and focus all of your attention attention on the Shadow. Feel an unbreakable bond between the two of you—as a unit you’re fearless. 3. **Shout, "LISTEN!"** Together, you and the Shadow forcefully turn toward the audience and silently command them to “LISTEN!” Feel the authority that comes when you and your Shadow speak with one voice.