Every James Bond fan knows the classic scene from 1964’s Goldfinger, the film named for one of 007’s most memorable nemeses. But though the rest of us aren’t secret agents caught up in international intrigue, we still have to contend with an enemy who is just as ruthless as Bond’s gold-obsessed adversary. And unfortunately, our enemy can’t be dispatched in the time it takes to play out a movie script.

That’s because the enemy is us.

For most people, the toughest opponent they’ll ever encounter is the one who stares back at them each morning when they look at their reflection in the mirror. That face represents their worst critic, the person most likely to undermine their confidence, the one best able to exploit their hidden fears. What weapons does your worst enemy use to slice up your dreams? See if any of these sound familiar:

• Worry. What if …What if …What if …The enemy within seems to put that phrase on an endless loop playing over and over again. You can’t focus on your actual circumstances because you’re too busy worrying about all the things that might happen but probably won’t. You lie awake at night imagining every conceivable worst-case scenario, never stopping to think what would happen if the best-case scenario came about instead. The worry creates doubt. The doubt creates indecision. The indecision creates immobility. You wind up stuck in your “what if” nightmare.

How can you thwart your enemy and this mighty weapon?

1. Stay busy. The more you have to do, the less time you have to spend thinking about all the things that can go wrong. If you’re not working, keep your mind occupied with hobbies, entertainments, and good deeds that require concentration.

2. Make a list. What exactly are you worried about? When the what ifs are swimming around in your head, they may seem HUGE and overwhelming. But when you bring them into the light and examine them closely, you may realize they’re not so scary after all.

• Criticism. “You IDIOT!” That’s my inner enemy’s favorite phrase. And when she’s expressing her displeasure she sounds exactly like Cruella De Vil from the animated version of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. But “idiot” is mild criticism for a lifelong adversary. The internal enemy has memorized all your missteps and failures and can recite them when they’ll do the most harm. “Oh, so you’re going to apply for that promotion? Remember what happened last time? You didn’t get the job and felt like a fool for trying.”

How do you counter an enemy who’s so good at targeting your Achilles heel?

1. Stand up for yourself. Would you just sit calmly and take it if a friend or coworker started shouting in your face that you’re a loser or a jerk? Of course, not! If nothing else, you’d walk away from your abuser. But in all likelihood, you’d shout back: “You can’t speak to me that way! Who do you think you are?” Well, you have to learn to stand up to yourself the same way. When the voice in your head starts making its digs, force your mind to say “STOP IT!” and turn your thoughts to something more productive.

2. Focus on your successes. For every failure your inner voice can conjure, there’s also a past success. Start thinking about the times in your life when things went right, when you beat the odds, moved that mountain, and achieved your goals. Remembering your own accomplishments will build your confidence. And self-confidence is the secret weapon that can successfully neutralize the enemy within.