My Inner Team

Intro

You have an inner team of players. In psychology, this is understood and normal. Different “parts” of you show up with their own patterns of thoughts, feelings, and habits.

Each player brings a strength and a risk. None are bad. Like a good coach, you can manage the right balance between players so your team performs at a high level.

This tool guides you to name the players you notice, the strengths they bring, when they get in the way, and what your inner coach suggests for balance.

Instructions

1. Which players do you notice most in you?List all the players that you recognize from the list below:
   • Doer (balances with Being): the driven, task-focused player that wants to take action.
   • Being (balances with Doer): the patient, relaxed player that slows down and enjoys the present moment.
   • Learner (balances with Expert): the humble player that stays curious and keeps an open mind.
   • Expert (balances with Learner): the confident player that trusts hard-won skill and rises to a challenge.
   • Intuition (balances with Rational): the sensitive, emotional player that empathizes, follows their gut, and feels deeply.
   • Rational (balances with Intuition): the player that thinks, analyzes, and measures, aiming to be objective.
   • Improviser (balances with Perfectionist): the spontaneous player that thrives in ambiguity and creates in the moment.
   • Perfectionist (balances with Improviser): the quality-focused player that attends to details and fixes errors.
   • Playful (balances with Responsible): the fun-loving player that wants to be free to play and experiment.
   • Responsible (balances with Playful): the serious, reliable, accountable player that wants you to keep your word.
   • Boundary Setter (balances with Pleaser): the discerning player that sets clear boundaries so you can meet your needs.
   • Pleaser (balances with Boundary Setter): the service-oriented player that wants to say yes to others’ needs.
   • Planner (balances with Surfer): the alert, risk-aware player that anticipates and prepares.
   • Surfer (balances with Planner): the trusting, go-with-the-flow player that allows what’s unfolding and moves with ease.
2. What are the strengths these players bring out in you?For each selected player, list at least one helpful quality. Keep it short, such as “Doer: productive at work, Pleaser: empathetic and loved by close friends.
3. When do these players get in the way of you showing up at your best?Review the common risks below. Check any you notice in yourself, then add a note about when they show up.
   Risks by player
   • Doer risks: rushing, impatience with slowdowns, hard time resting, juggling too much
   • Being risks: waiting to feel ready, withdrawing, inertia to start, passivity
   • Learner risks: deferring to “best practices,” endless research, hedging, avoiding a stance
   • Expert risks: over-relying on prior knowledge, low curiosity, resisting feedback, “my way”
   • Intuition risks: hyper-sensitivity, mood-led choices, emotional overwhelm, adopting others’ feelings
   • Rational risks: overthinking, cold analysis in human moments, dismissing data that doesn’t fit, empathy misses
   • Improviser risks: disorganized, unprepared, make-it-up-as-you-go, unfinished work
   • Perfectionist risks: unrealistic standards, can’t find “good enough,” nitpicking, stress paralysis
   • Playful risks: starting more than finishing, changing course often, short attention, avoiding routine
   • Responsible risks: heaviness, “have to” thinking, over-serious, worry about letting people down
   • Boundary Setter risks: guarded, distant, stingy with time or attention, reluctant to share
   • Pleaser risks: saying yes too fast, rescuing, minimizing your needs, approval seeking
   • Planner risks: over-preparing, scanning for threats, tension, hard to switch off
   • Surfer risks: ignoring real signals, passivity, missing plans or deadlines
4. What would your Inner Coach say to find balance between your players?Tip: write a short message to your players, explaining how to play well with their balancing player. Example: Doer, thank you for pushing me. Let Being enjoy days off and define good enough before starting anything.”