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Equipped to...Accept you are a STAR!

This newsletter introduces Time to Accept a Compliment, a comprehensive article found on my website.

Surprisingly, a large number of people do not know how to accept a compliment. They are either embarrassed by the compliment or  have a mind-set that says something like, “I cannot possibly deserve positive feedback - anyone who pays me a compliment must be misguided, lying or feeling sorry for me”.

But, is this really true? Remember, you not only have the right to accept compliments and feel good about yourself, but also the responsibility to accept a compliment that someone is giving you, graciously.

Read: Time to Accept a Compliment

Why it is Hard to Accept Compliments

There are a number of reasons why we find it difficult to accept compliments. Two important reasons are:

1. Because we are taught from a very early age that it is desirable to be humble and self-effacing. We are told that we must never be boastful or arrogant because ‘nice boys and girls’ do not exhibit such qualities. To many people, accepting a compliment feels boastful.

While I agree that arrogance and boastfulness are not desirable qualities, we sadly often do not know where to draw the line between arrogance and self-confidence, or between boastfulness and pride in one’s own achievements.

2. Some people find it tough to accept compliments because they have a Submissive Communication Style. One of the characteristics of submissive people is that they tend to refuse compliments.

To find out about all the other characteristics of submissive people, read The Five Communication Styles

The Importance of Accepting Compliments

The things we tell ourselves in our head are extremely important. What you focus on is what you get … our thoughts create our reality.

We have been told in so many ways that “what we believe is what we achieve”, so it’s really important to have positive thoughts about ourselves. When we are able to accept compliments it helps us to change our negative thoughts into positive thoughts. This, in turn, helps us to improve our self-esteem.

Want to train  yourself to stop deflecting compliments? Read The Five Steps to becoming totally comfortable with a compliment in Time to Accept a Compliment

Be Comfortable Accepting Compliments

When you are given a compliment, allow yourself to bask in the good feeling it brings you. Remind yourself, that even if you don’t really believe it, the person giving you the compliment does.

It helps to remember that the most important judgement you will ever have to pass in life is the judgement you make on yourself. So, it is important to catch your head talk and question the validity of your beliefs - are you being too critical of yourself?

For practical tips on how to accept compliments in different situations read Time to Accept a Compliment

What do YOU think?

Share your wisdom … What tips do you have to make people more comfortable with accepting compliments? Contact me

What's Next?

Watch out for my next newsletter where you will be
E-Quipped to...Resist Impulsive Pilfering!

Tip! Save these newsletters and accumulate the series on Build Better Relationships

Regards

More About Me

My goal is to inspire you to make the changes necessary to live the life of your dreams! I believe that by developing your YOU-Q - the term I have created to describe your unique intelligence, creativity and wisdom – you can find your Inner winner and live a Be-YOU-tiful life right now. On my website you'll find more ideas to get you thinking about life, love, work and other important STUFF - all based on my work as a practicing psychologist, speaker, trainer and life coach (and hat lover!)

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