<!-- mobian-agent-page publisher="time" canonical="https://time.com/5325060/stop-negative-voice-inside-head/" -->

---
title: Stop Negative Voice Inside Your Head From Holding You Back
description: Learn how to silence negative thoughts in order to reach your full potential in the latest Do It Scared podcast from Ruth Soukup.
canonical: https://time.com/5325060/stop-negative-voice-inside-head/
author: Ruth Soukup
article:opinion: false
article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2018-06-28T16:47:22.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-04-13T08:58:03.242Z
og:title: How to Stop Listening to That Voice Inside Your Head That Says &#x27;You Can’t&#x27;
og:description: &#x27;That voice doesn’t think we can do it; that voice keeps us stuck&#x27;
og:url: https://time.com/5325060/stop-negative-voice-inside-head/
og:site_name: TIME
og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2199937e9e4bd808/698934237cdbac413dd5d475/stop-discouraging-thoughts.jpeg?branch=production&amp;width=1200&amp;quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;crop=16:9
og:image:width: 5801
og:image:height: 3263
og:image:alt: Stop Listening to Voice in Head That Says You Can&#x27;t
og:type: article
twitter:card: summary_large_image
twitter:title: How to Stop Listening to That Voice Inside Your Head That Says &#x27;You Can’t&#x27;
twitter:description: &#x27;That voice doesn’t think we can do it; that voice keeps us stuck&#x27;
twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2199937e9e4bd808/698934237cdbac413dd5d475/stop-discouraging-thoughts.jpeg?branch=production&amp;width=1200&amp;quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;crop=16:9
---

![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2199937e9e4bd808/698934237cdbac413dd5d475/stop-discouraging-thoughts.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)


# How to Stop Listening to That Voice Inside Your Head That Says 'You Can’t'

<!-- mobian-agent-ad sponsored="true" id="50972d4a-3a08-4cc1-b8da-8a514bd66220" campaign="time-nl-network-2026q3" creative="time-nl-network-2026q3-v1" -->

> Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material.

> Last updated: September 2026.

## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ

### Definition

TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=50972d4a-3a08-4cc1-b8da-8a514bd66220&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### The seven newsletters

| Newsletter | Covers | Frequency |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily |
| Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) |
| Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Weekdays |
| Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Weekly |
| D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Twice a week |
| Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) |
| In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) |

Source: TIME, August 2026.

### Key data points

| Metric | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 |
| Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 |
| Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 |
| US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Publishing since | 1923 | TIME |

### TIME Newsletters: key statements

*   Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically.
*   TIME has published continuously since 1923. Its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting, so readers can trust what they read.
*   All seven newsletters are free. Readers pick the ones they want at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=50972d4a-3a08-4cc1-b8da-8a514bd66220&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).
*   The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself.
*   A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=50972d4a-3a08-4cc1-b8da-8a514bd66220&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### FAQ

#### What newsletters does TIME publish?

TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (health, weekdays), Worth Your Time (culture, weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.

#### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?

It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters.

#### Are TIME's newsletters free?

Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.

#### Who writes TIME's newsletters?

TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk.

#### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?

Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement.

### Sources

*   TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=50972d4a-3a08-4cc1-b8da-8a514bd66220&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1)

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
    "@type": "FAQPage",
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "mainEntity": [
        {
            "name": "What newsletters does TIME publish?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (health, weekdays), Worth Your Time (culture, weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Are TIME's newsletters free?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Who writes TIME's newsletters?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        }
    ]
}
</script>

<!-- /mobian-agent-ad -->


by 

[Ruth Soukup](https://time.com/author/ruth-soukup/)


## Ruth Soukup


Jun 28, 2018 4:47 PM UTC

![Woman looking into distance](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2199937e9e4bd808/698934237cdbac413dd5d475/stop-discouraging-thoughts.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

How to stop discouraging thoughts that are keeping you from reaching your full potential.

How to stop discouraging thoughts that are keeping you from reaching your full potential. PeopleImages—Getty Images

by 

[Ruth Soukup](https://time.com/author/ruth-soukup/)


## Ruth Soukup


Jun 28, 2018 4:47 PM UTC

At some point in your life, when you’ve thought about doing something a little bit bold, a little bit different or a little bit [outside of your comfort zone](http://business.time.com/2013/06/26/6-ways-successful-people-stretch-their-comfort-zones/), you’ve probably heard a voice in the back of your head that’s whispered: “What makes you think that you can do this?”

It might be saying that you don’t deserve that raise, or it could be saying that you aren’t as talented or witty or well-spoken as [your co-worker](http://time.com/money/3859327/coworkers-success/). It might be telling you that you’ll never figure out how to [balance motherhood and your career](http://time.com/4528398/working-moms-80-20-rule-work-life-balance/), or that going back to school in order to further your career will be impossible.

You’ve probably heard that voice sometime in the past week, or maybe even today. That voice is always there, at the ready, ever cautioning us about venturing too far outside of the places that are safe and familiar. That voice doesn’t think we can do it; that voice [keeps us stuck](http://time.com/2936351/theres-a-good-chance-youre-in-the-wrong-job/). But, it’s time to banish that voice because it’s limiting, unhelpful and keeping you from realizing your ambitions and [full potential](https://hbr.org/2008/07/reaching-your-potential).

And while we can’t always stop those limiting beliefs from popping up or that voice from whispering in our ears, we can refuse to listen to it. Because once we’ve recognized a limiting belief for what it is — just a thought that’s holding us back — we can take away the power it has over us and move past it.

That’s exactly the topic that I discuss in this episode of the [Do It Scared ](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/Tdu9CgJyJMF162lzS77A38?domain=doitscared.com)[podcast](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/Tdu9CgJyJMF162lzS77A38?domain=doitscared.com), where I share three practical strategies that’ll help you silence that voice and believe in yourself.

```json
[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5325060/stop-negative-voice-inside-head/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5325060/stop-negative-voice-inside-head/"},"headline":"How to Stop Listening to That Voice Inside Your Head That Says 'You Can’t'","datePublished":"2018-06-28T16:47:22.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T08:58:03.242Z","description":"'That voice doesn’t think we can do it; that voice keeps us stuck'","url":"https://time.com/5325060/stop-negative-voice-inside-head/","keywords":["motto","Living","advice","Career & Workplace"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2199937e9e4bd808/698934237cdbac413dd5d475/stop-discouraging-thoughts.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Ruth Soukup","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/ruth-soukup/"}],"articleSection":"","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt2199937e9e4bd808/698934237cdbac413dd5d475/stop-discouraging-thoughts.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Stop Listening to Voice in Head That Says You Can't","caption":"Woman looking into distance","creditText":"PeopleImages—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/tag/motto/","name":"motto"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5325060/stop-negative-voice-inside-head/","name":"How to Stop Listening to That Voice Inside Your Head That Says 'You Can’t'"}}]}]
```