“Sometimes I Think I Suck”
My New Book – Coming February 13, 2025!
From the publisher (highlanderpressbooks.com):
Do you live with a negative inner voice that demeans and undermines you, insisting you’re not smart enough, successful enough, fit enough, productive enough, or just not good enough?
Do you ever feel like your own worst enemy?
Maybe you beat yourself up, put yourself down, or push yourself way too hard.
Perhaps you doubt your abilities or denigrate your accomplishments.
Do you have a cruel inner critic constantly saying, “You suck.”
Can you relate? If so, you’re not alone.
In Sometimes I Think I Suck, Tal Fagin shares her personal journey from an ambitious, hard-driving lawyer to a contented, easy-going life coach, showing how she shed the perfectionism that once caused her so much pain. Drawing from years of experience coaching high achievers and other deeply self-critical clients, she offers practical tools and exercises to help you silence your inner critic, develop greater self-compassion, and find more profound satisfaction.
Through relatable stories and actionable advice, this book guides you in clarifying and confronting the thoughts and beliefs that keep you mired in self-doubt. It teaches you how to live a more confident and joyful life by transforming that nagging, niggling voice into a source of strength. Whether you want to advance in your career, elevate your relationships, or improve self-esteem, Sometimes I Think I Suck will empower you to break free from self-defeating patterns so you can fully inhabit the rich, rewarding life that is waiting for you.
Get ready to stop criticizing and start thriving—because you definitely do not suck.
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Tal Fagin, a certified life coach, helps high-achieving individuals break free from self-doubt and perfectionism. Especially with themselves! She lives in Connecticut with her husband, Rob, their three remarkable children, and their faithful Golden Retriever. She loves yoga, meditation, hiking, tennis, and sweaty workouts, but her true passion is people. She appreciates nothing more than connecting deeply and meaningfully with others.
What People Are Saying
Your inner critic is like a bad ex: relentless, toxic and still living rent-free in your head. Tal Fagin shows you how to kick that asshole out, for good. This book is self-help for people who would rather die than read self-help, with candid, real-world advice that doesn’t involve hugging crystals. Stop self-sabotaging and start living the life you deserve — because you don’t suck, but your inner critic definitely does.
Ellen Rapoport, writer, producer, director, and creator of the critically acclaimed comedy series Minx
This insightful and empowering guide helps high achievers transform their inner critic into an inner champion. With practical tools and mindset shifts, it shows readers how to overcome self-doubt and unlock their confidence, creativity, and potential. It is a must-read for anyone ready to conquer their biggest obstacles.
Dan Kashman, founder and managing partner, Tenth Mountain
As someone who is always battling the negative voices within, as so many people do, I found Tal Fagin’s down-to-earth wisdom, insights, personal story, and practical exercises for changing self-destructive thinking to be game-changing. Anyone with a tendency to be self-critical (which is pretty much all of us!) should read this book.
Paula Derrow, editor of Behind the Bedroom Door: Getting It, Giving It, Loving It, Missing It
Sometimes I Think I Suck takes readers on an honest and relatable journey into the world of inner criticism. Through her own life story and the stories of others, Tal Fagin creates a powerful narrative that not only validates the “I suck” moments we all experience but also provides a path for change. The author’s vulnerability resonates deeply, making her growth over the years feel authentic and achievable. Her insights help readers not only get to know and understand their inner critic but also begin to tame it with practical strategies.
Sunni Lampasso, PsyD, psychologist, leadership advisor, executive coach, and author of Level Up Your Influence: A Self-Awareness Guide to Maximizing Your Growth and Unlocking Your Inner Leader
Tal Fagin confronts the universal challenge of self-criticism with refreshing honesty, warmth, and practical strategies. Through relatable stories and transformative insights, this book offers guidance that resonates on a deeply personal level. A must-read for anyone striving for clarity, confidence, and a more compassionate relationship with themselves.
Mary Beth Lawlor, publisher and editor-in-chief, Happening in the Hills
Sometimes I Think I Suck is a modern-day yellow brick road, offering the reader a road map to a happier, healthier you. You will not have to walk the path alone, however; Tal will be with you every step of the way. Like a lamplighter, she illuminates teachings from psychology, mythology, neuroscience, and literature — and then shows you how to apply those lessons to everyday life. Consider this book your escape route from the people-pleasing, super-striving, self-denigrating behaviors that prevent you from actualizing your deepest dreams.
Lisa Matison Garrigues, author of Writing Motherhood and creator of Writing Womanhood
I have been working with Tal for almost two years, and she is an amazing life coach. I have struggled with my own self-critical, negative inner voice for as long as I can remember, and her teachings have helped me overcome many of these self-limiting thoughts and emotions. This book is an articulate and straightforward guide for anyone interested in well-being, providing concrete examples and exercises to overcome this negativity. Her personal story is inspiring and adds a welcome layer of authenticity to a topic that is, by definition, very personal for all of us.
Nirmal Roy, co-founder and managing director of Foundation Capital Partners, a real estate private equity firm
Understanding and confronting our inner critic is a crucial step in any healing journey, and this book offers an invaluable guide to doing just that. Tal provides a wealth of practical tips and exercises that make complex psychological concepts accessible, ensuring readers can genuinely engage with and understand the process of transforming self-criticism into self-compassion. As a therapist, I can confidently say this book will be a regular recommendation for clients seeking to evolve into healthier, happier versions of themselves. It’s a must-read for anyone committed to personal growth and emotional well-being.
Stacey Blume Frankel, LMSW, ketamine-assisted psychotherapist
What sets this self-help book apart is that Tal helped herself first. Part memoir, part advice column, part workbook, this book is for anyone who is looking to improve their inner dialogue with themselves and their outer dialogue with the world. Tal’s ability to communicate how she broke out of old, tired, and unproductive behavior patterns will inspire you to do the same. Tal shares her struggles to “not suck” and then offers proven strategies from her training as a life coach to beat back the inner critic, find peace within and be more present. Believe me, she doesn’t suck, and neither does this book!
Sarah Payne, certified Institute of Integrative Nutrition health coach
If self-doubt has ever held you back, Tal Fagin’s transformative book is exactly what you need. With compassion, humor, and a relatable voice, Tal shares effective strategies, powerful exercises, and personal stories to help you overcome self-sabotage and embrace the change you deserve. Each chapter offers actionable insights that will inspire and empower you. Tal knows these methods work—because she’s lived them. If you’re ready to rewrite your story and step into your full potential, this book will show you how!
Jamie Jackson Spannhake, health coach and author of The Lawyer, The Lion, & The Laundry: Three Hours to Finding Your Calm in the Chaos
Life coach Tal Fagin does a brilliant job weaving together personal stories and practical exercises to overcome our inner critics and embrace the goodness of who we are. Her words are a breath of fresh air for all the high achievers who find themselves stuck on a treadmill of unachievable goals and belligerent self-doubt. She moves us from fear to freedom, with some laughter and grace along the way.
Amy Julia Becker, author of To Be Made Well, White Picket Fences, Small Talk, and A Good and Perfect Gift
Tal Fagin’s book is a heart-lifting two-for-one! She convinces you to forgive yourself for all the years of not “getting it right” and then gives you the tools you need to break out of your ruts. Everything feels possible again. The only thing I feel sorry about now is my nearly empty highlighter!
Jim Kelly, owner of Kelly Law Offices
Tal Fagin’s Sometimes I Think I Suck is a life-affirming book. It differs from other self-help books because it is both witty and smart. There are no charts, no endless rules, no preaching, and no empty promises. The author combines her story with a wealth of strategies to enhance anyone’s life. Perfection is never the answer. The book is an engaging life lesson based on the author’s experience as a life coach, lawyer, wife, and mother. It is a perfect book to be read and savored chapter by chapter. At its conclusion, one will experience a renewal and sense of self-worth that resonates in everyday life.
Maria B. Campbell, executive chairman, Maria B. Campbell Associates