The bully (inside our heads).
When something goes awry, it goes, “See. This proves it. You are no good.”
When something goes well, it goes, “let’s focus on the next thing. that’s in the past” or "that’s by chance" or "they are just being polite".
The thing with bullies is that they are not there to help, they are not there to make things better.
The more we listen to the bully, the more powerful they become. The more we put a spotlight on what they are saying, state facts and ask questions, the more afraid they become.
Our work is too important to be affected by the tantrums of the bully. It is to bring the change we seek to make for the ones who give us the benefit of the doubt. It is not for the naysayers, whether they are inside are head or outside.