Taming Your Gremlin Essay

The book, Taming Your Gremlin by Rick Carson, is about how to silence or “tame” the inner critic or “gremlin” we have inside us. It’s the narrator inside of our head. The first and most important step is to “simply notice” or become aware of the gremlin and it’s affect on us. It’s only after we’ve successfully tamed this gremlin that we will find inner peace and fulfillment.

The main theme of the book was to “simply notice” and become aware of the existence of your gremlin. In fact, the book says that simply noticing cannot be overstated. Once you’ve become aware of your gremlin, you’re encouraged to identify, describe, and even name your gremlin. The author gives several examples of different gremlins that he’s been introduced to by his clients over the years. For me, simply noticing and identifying my gremlin was not simple at all! Before reading the book, I really wasn’t aware of my own negative thoughts. Eventually, I was able to recognize and identify my gremlin who I would describe is like “The General,” constantly barking out orders and criticizing my actions.
Another theme that stood out to me was “changing for a change.” When faced with choices and options in life, we typically chose those that are consistent with our personality or what we’re comfortable with. When you chose to change for a change, you’re consciously deciding to behave in ways that might be totally out of character. By doing this, you can learn more about yourself and have a chance to see what will transpire from that choice. The thought of altering the way I usually respond to conflict – by rationalizing or stifling my anger – and instead to try and tackle it head on with the suggested statements from the book was very eye opening for me. As the book says, “What’s the worst that can happen if you express yourself?” Developing the ability to quit suppressing my anger and to deal with conflict would be a real welcomed change in my life.

Many of the topics covered in Taming Your Gremlin are important in human relations. Dealing with your emotions by recognizing and experiencing them can help individuals who rely on Freud’s defense mechanism of suppression, rationalization, and denial. Silencing the critical voice of the gremlin can allow individuals to progress up the triangle of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs by increasing one’s self-esteem, the ability to have healthier relationships and their need for love, a sense of belonging, ultimately allowing them the opportunity to achieve their individual potential and becoming self-actualized individuals.

I enjoyed reading Taming Your Gremlin and found it to be very well written.
It’s the type of book that you want to take your time to read as there’s a lot of information to absorb. There are interactive exercises throughout the book which are designed to help increase your self-awareness. The book is easy to follow, showing you step-by-step how taming your gremlin can change your life by allowing you to deal with negative feelings that are holding you back from self-fulfillment. Each chapter covers a different topic, such as what gremlins are and how to identify yours, the importance of breathing to fully experience the moment, how to center yourself, and strategies to help tame specific types of gremlins. The last few chapters discuss how, by discovering our natural self we can find true love within ourselves. Thus, we can experience the “ultimately beautiful inner experience of being
alive.”

I was surprised at how strongly I identified with the negative impact that my own gremlin was having on my life. Rather than helping, my own gremlin is very critical, reminding me that if I were thinner, neater, more structured and focused, then I’d be a better person. By listening to my gremlin, I was constantly second guessing myself and feeling like I didn’t measure up. Thanks to this book, I plan on implementing the strategies I learned in this book to increase my self-esteem, find true love within myself, and enjoy life even more.