How often do you acknowledge yourself and tell yourself what a great job you have done at something or how great you look in that new outfit?
We sometimes look to others to give us acknowledgement or feel disappointed when we don’t get the acknowledgement we think we deserve, but if we do that it can place a lot of pressure on others and leave us being needy if left unchecked. Another scenario that most of us have done (I know I have) is when someone gives you a compliment, to play it down and say something like: “this old thing, I just threw it on….blah blah blah”. If you have ever had someone do that to you, when you have given them a compliment, you don’t feel like doing it again! When we do this, we are saying to the universe "no more compliments thank you – I don’t accept them!"
We can be so focussed on our goals, on what we want top achieve and where we want to go that it can be easy to forget what we have done, how far we have come and how much we have grown. It can be quite subtle; you may not even notice yourself doing it. It may happen in the guise of comparing yourself unfavourably with someone else or saying “I’m not good at x, y or z” either to yourself or to someone else.
It’s not about being egotistical or big headed or even lying to ourselves but treating ourselves as we want to be treated. The better we treat ourselves, the better others treat us. The better we feel, the more we have to then give to others. We send out signals about what we think of ourselves and others respond to them.
“What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say”. Ralph Waldo Emerson
5 ways to acknowledge your grrreatness:
- Take time each week, to acknowledge what you have done. Even if there are some things you think aren’t relevant write them down. Biting your tongue and not retaliating in an argument …write it down!
- Say “I love you” to your reflection on the mirror or something that feels good for you (it may be “you are looking great dude!”
). This is surprisingly powerful! - Go easy on yourself. If you catch yourself beating yourself up about something you have done / haven’t done comparing yourself unfavourably to others, cut it out! You wouldn’t treat your best friend like that would you?
- Do something nice for yourself today, buy yourself a nice cup of coffee, take half an hour out to chill when you wouldn’t normally. Just something to say to yourself, you are great!
- Leave a comment on this post and let us know, something great about you! Go on ….don’t be shy!
Ah, I really like the message of this post! For the longest time I would do the 'ah, thanks, but...' when I would get a compliment and it really turned people off from giving compliments (and made the conversation awkward, besides!). Being able to acknowledge your own successes IS vital, and sometimes, especially when I'm away from my family and friends (like right now), it's the only reinforcement I have!
Something great about me: I'm able to look at bad situations as learning experiences as they happen, which allows me to either laugh at my own audacity or simply take it all in, rather than shutting down, introverting or ignoring what's happening so as to avoid embarrassment. This is something I really value about myself and it's taken a LONG time to get to this point!
What a grrreat post! Brian Tracy says you should talk to yourself positively. Such as saying, "I love me", "I feel great", etc. He said doing this enthusiastically for a couple of minutes with emotion can completely change your mood.
Hi Jen,
I used to do #3 all the time. I have done a much better job at not beating myself up over past history. I cannot change the past and I never will. Something good about me? I challenge myself much more than I ever have. I recently joined a speaking group that I used to belong to years ago. Believe me, it is painful having to give a speech in front of others but I re-joined this group because I know it will be good for me. I'm also a good person who tries to be kind to people. My eldest daughter once said to me recently "Dada (she has always called me Dada), one thing I've learned from you is to never look down on people. You always go out of your way to talk to the taxi driver or the maid at the hotel." That really hit home with me because she was right. I just think that everyone should be treated with dignity and it shouldn't be dependent on their economic status. These people are out there working hard to make ends meet and that, to me, is honorable in itself.
Best,
Bob
Heya Jen!
I am great thanks! And so are you
It's true though, we are our own biggest critics, and every now and then it is good to acknowledge our strong points, because we are good at some things!
Thanks for the inspiration and continuous support miss
Cheers
Diggy
Hi Colin
I know, I have done that too, but it is great to realise the impact on yourself and others of not taking them isn't it? especially as you say when you're away from your friends and family. Thank you for sharing something great about you - that sounds a great place to get to.
Hi Gordie
thank you! Brian's right - it is amazing the difference it can make. I also read alot about affirmations through Louise Hay, she has a great take on things too.
Hi Bob
Great that you have stopped doing that too (I did too). I really admire you for joining a speaking group - that is something I find hard so I can imagine the challenge, but a great thing to break through! That's really lovely what your daughter said and great for you to get how that you do that. 
Hi Diggy!
Yeah, I think it can be easy to see what's missing sometimes rather than the strong points - it's good to take stock isn't it.
You are and thanks!
My pleasure mister!
Jen
Grrreatness. Thank God we are blessed with this capability. However, most people focus on their miseries, they are so preoccupied that they neglect to explore their own greatness.
Instead of working to its discovery, we put much time on measuring ourself with others. I hope people will realize that we have a one chance of life, and we must use our full potential.
I have to admit that I'm incredibly hard on myself. I think there's a bit of this in all of us though. Mainly it comes out of fear of failure.
We all underestimate ourselves and our abilities.
I'm constantly working on getting over this. I know it sound 'cheesy,' but every single one of us is unique and we each have talents and gifts we can share with the rest of the world.
Now, I'm pushing myself more. I'm taking steps to achieve my personal goals. I'm worrying less and less about failure and what others think. It's actually quite liberating!
Hi Walter
You're right - its like that Marianne Williamson quote: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.” It's so true and I think all of our challenge is to conquer that fear.
Grrreat to see you here
Thanks Walter
Hi Nate
I think you're right, I think there is an element of this in all of us and I wrote about it because it's something I have struggled with. What you say doesn't sound cheesy at all - I think it's true and our job is to uncover our gifts in ourselves and others. Sounds like you're doing grrreat!
Thanks for stopping by Nate,
Jen
Thanks Jen, this is a good way to start the week. I am going to humbly embrace my greatness!
Sheila McCann´s last blog ..Fishegg # 47
Hello from Russia!
Can I quote a post in your blog with the link to you?
Hello!
Of course. Thank you for stopping by.
Jen