"Putting ourselves down,
is an insult to our worth."
--Helen Ksypka
Have you ever noticed how women dodge compliments as if they're bullets?
You look terrific.
Oh, please; I'm a mess.
That's a beautiful blouse.
This old thing?
You did a super job.
Not really.
What a great dinner.
It was nothing.
It was nothing. That one really gets me. Why do you think we women are taken for granted and treated as if we can and should do it all? When we prepare a meal, a party, or holiday, believe me it's a big, fat something. If someone compliments us, we need to acknowledge that we knocked ourselves out, and say: thanks for noticing.
If you think I'm blowing this out of proportion, let me tell you how resisting compliments hurt one woman's business.
I spotted a top-notch brochure and knew I'd found the graphic artist I was looking for. When I contacted her and raved about the superb layout, color choices and her eye for detail, she not only found fault with every compliment, she cited additional flaws, hellbent on convincing me that the whole brochure could have been better.
Guess what? I ran for the hills. If she didn't think she was so hot, why the heck would I hire her? And you know something? When I studied her work, again, I started to believe that maybe she wasn't so talented after all. (But on the other hand, if she had just kept her mouth shut and accepted my compliments, I would have scrutinized no further, happy to be a new client.)
Perhaps recipients of compliments think that by undermining praise, it makes them appear humble. It doesn't. Instead it sends a message that screams:
And what about the people doling out the compliments? They feel they're going out of their way to show recognition, so even if the recipient rebuffs out of insecurity, it leaves the compliment-giver feeling unappreciated, frustrated, or duped that his or her observation wasn't very astute.
Now think about this for a minute. There's a steady supply of people who seize any opportunity to point out our weaknesses and shortcomings. They stomp on our ideas, dismiss our efforts, and diminish our dreams. So when compliments are handed to us on silver platters, why, oh why would we pass up positive reinforcement?
Because it's an insidious habit, but it's a habit that can be consciously reversed with practice.
If we don't think we look so great today, but someone thinks we do, why knock it? If someone thinks we did an outstanding job, let's bask in the glory. We need to ditch the attitude: "I'm not perfect enough" and give credit to ourselves and to the people who acknowledge us and our efforts. We all deserve compliments. And we deserve to take them.
Copyright 2004 by Helen Ksypka
About The Author
Helen Ksypka is a communication, organizational, and time management consultant. She is the founder of Communication Clout (SM/TM), a division of Born Organized (R), and offers many free tips at her website: http://www.bornorganized.com
Helen is also the author of "Quotes to the Rescue: Wisdom to Help You Live Life Effectively". For details, visit http://www.bornorganized.com
Willow Springs limo O'Hare .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareResentment isn't a spectacular emotion, but it is long-lasting and... Read More
I will never forget an evening in 2003, when I... Read More
Humans tend to categorize things by large or small, bright... Read More
What's my life all about is the question so many... Read More
Q: I seem to beat myself before I ever get... Read More
I'm lucky.When I was fifteen, I was the sole survivor... Read More
The other day I bought an unusual piece of software:... Read More
There are countless books that describe success principles. Here are... Read More
At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and... Read More
Recently, I coached a young woman whom I'll call Mary... Read More
You don't need to a piece of paper to prove... Read More
Music penetrates our mental barriers and influences the deepest areas... Read More
Part 1Recently, in a women's therapy group that I run,... Read More
During a Messenger chat session the other day, I asked... Read More
Did you ever run into that person that just nags... Read More
The image you hold of yourself determines your success or... Read More
The invisible force surrounded him, squeezing tightly around his chest.... Read More
All the problems that any individual has in their lives... Read More
The universe is vast, it's dimensions inconceivable, it's potentialities unimaginable,... Read More
There are only two emotions we can experience; love or... Read More
There is a wonderful story about the famous escape artist,... Read More
When I was a young girl, my sister and I... Read More
By definition,an affirmation is a statement repeated time and again... Read More
I was always somebody who felt quite sorry for myself,... Read More
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."... Read More
group transportation logistics management Highland ..Most of us love to think that our problems are... Read More
Since the beginning of human history we have been living... Read More
That strange, gut-wrenching feeling you have is not the sushi... Read More
The easiest, most exciting adventure in consciousness follows the lamplit... Read More
Uncle Liam was very kind to me again. He gave... Read More
The language we use programs our brains. Mastering our language... Read More
There are countless books that describe success principles. Here are... Read More
How you feel about yourself truly does affect your interaction... Read More
I'm sure most of you remember the children's book about... Read More
One of things that Charismatic people share is an unshakeable... Read More
This is the age of the Quick Fix - the... Read More
Our lives are overflowing with negative information from the newspapers,... Read More
"There is an infinitely worthier subject for philosophers (to study)... Read More
Attitude, has a way of preening itself, often without awareness... Read More
Part 1Recently, in a women's therapy group that I run,... Read More
Drinking damages the soul; being lustful damages the vitality; greed... Read More
There is a wonderful story about the famous escape artist,... Read More
So, is this really where you thought you'd be? You're... Read More
Improving this single attitude makes your days fly by. You... Read More
There is a growing volume of research that shows' staying... Read More
How do you explain things to yourself? With positive self... Read More
The image you hold of yourself determines your success or... Read More
Turn brutality into kindness. There is no small deed and... Read More
During a Messenger chat session the other day, I asked... Read More
Most of us start the day like we're trying to... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |