My Own Trophy Is The Best!
Learn to appreciate your own accomplishments, rather than looking to others for validation.
Do you appreciate yourself? Surely you are aware of what others have done for you and express appreciation to them for that kindness. Now think about how you can show appreciation to yourself for your own accomplishments. Do you give yourself little prizes for meeting a goal? Do you reward yourself for a job well done? This is certainly a preferable way to go through life than waiting for someone else to show appreciation because that might just not come your way.
Self-appreciation does not involve an inflated ego. Rather, it is about you acknowledging what is good, positive, and creative about yourself. It's about knowing that you are unique and you can celebrate your own individuality without anyone else's validation of your accomplishments.
Self-appreciation only becomes an ego trip when you burden others with that self-appreciation. Telling someone else how much you love what you have done defeats the purpose. Only reward yourself for your accomplishments. When you do that, others will notice them indirectly, and that's the best feeling in the world!
When you appreciate yourself, you will stop allowing others to control your destiny. You will become strong in your convictions and recognize the truth of your existence. What freedom!
Think about all the things that are wonderful about you and celebrate them in your own special way. Here are some ways that you can show self-appreciation:
- Write yourself a note and put it in a safe place. You might even mail it to yourself and get a surprise three days later!
- Give yourself a pampering session: Get a haircut, a manicure, a pedicure, etc.
- Go out to dinner or make your favorite food.
- Call a friend.
- Cross off a line on your to-do list.
- Do something creative that pleases you.
- Forgive yourself for making mistakes. This is also a form of self-appreciation for overcoming adversity.
Keep a journal of the ways that you appreciate all that you do every day. Then you can go back to that journal frequently and reward yourself for all that you do and all that you are while traveling life's journey. Celebrate your existence and accomplishments!
Renee Heiss is the author of the forthcoming book, The Beaded Kingdom, which shows how you can change your thoughts to change your actions to change your life. Self-Appreciation is the sixth bead on the chain. To see the others, go to http://www.reneeheiss.com/the_beaded_kingdom