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7-Session Comprehensive
Self-Study
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Got a question for Valorie?
Ask in the comment section of the blog or e-mail her at
lifecoach911@
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Week 25: Accept the Compliment!
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Welcome and Announcements
Welcome to our 50 new subscribers since last week.
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This Week's Topic: Accept the Compliment!
Dear Friend,
Imagine for a moment that a thoughtful person decided to
give you a beautifully wrapped gift, complete with a satin ribbon tied
in a pretty bow. How would you respond? Would you ignore them and decline to even acknowledge
the gift? Would you rebuff the giver and tell
them they were being ridiculous to do something so kind?
Or would you tell them they're giving the gift to the wrong
person and suggest someone more deserving?
You probably agree none of these three
options is particularly gracious. In fact, they
are downright rude. And yet, as a coach, I notice
that this is exactly how many people handle the gift of a compliment. This week, I challenge you to receive compliments
graciously, and express gratitude for them.
When someone offers a compliment,
respond as though they just handed you a beautifully wrapped gift. Whether you deserve it or agree with it, acknowledge
the thoughtfulness of the gesture. When someone
says, "Your hair looks great today," don't respond with, "I was in such a
rush this morning, I barely had time to do it!" When
a co-worker acknowledges, "You did a fantastic job on that
presentation," resist saying "I should have practiced more. I forgot some of the points I wanted to make!" Even when everything in you wants to explain it away,
take a breath and say two simple words, "Thank you," and don't add any
more words to your statement. Not, "thank you,
but it was really nothing" or "thanks, but you did a much better job
than I did." But simply say, "thank you."
When I receive a compliment, I am
grateful, not because I think I'm so great and deserving. But because a compliment reminds me of how blessed I am. It is an acknowledgment of a gift or talent I've been
given, or an accomplishment I've had the opportunity to achieve. Love and kindness come in many forms - and a
compliment is one of them. Think of a compliment
as a little piece of God's love flowing through someone else. Don't deflect it. Receive it
with open arms. Be encouraged by it. And remember these three things the next time someone
compliments you:
1.
You have attributes worthy of
acknowledgment. When you allow others to
acknowledge good things about you, you are acknowledging that there are,
in fact, good things about you! Be thankful for
them, and thankful that others appreciate them.
2.
Humility does not preclude you
from accepting a compliment. Humility acknowledges where your
blessings come from, and is gracious and thankful for the thoughtfulness
of others. Accepting a compliment doesn't mean
you think there is no room for improvement. It's
simply an opportunity for gratitude.
3.
Refusal to accept a compliment is
often a sign of a struggle to value oneself. You may insist that the things you
are complimented for are no big deal. Just
because something comes easily to you doesn't mean it is not valuable. There are innate gifts you possess that are
meaningful and valuable to others. Don't discount
them because they come naturally. Simply be
grateful.
My challenge to you:
Learn to accept a compliment!
Journaling assignment:
In
what area(s) of your life do you find it difficult to take a compliment? How could you begin acknowledging your gratitude in
that area? How will you respond the next time you
receive the gift of a compliment?
Until next time...Warm wishes,
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P.S. Encourage your friends and family by sharing this newsletter and invite others to subscribe! Just send them to www.valorieburton.com, where they can enter their email address on the home page.
Valorie Burton, a life coach and speaker, is the author of Listen to Your Life, Rich Minds, Rich Rewards, What's Really Holding You Back?, Why Not You? and her latest, How Did I Get So Busy? The 28-Day Plan to Free Your Time, Reclaim Your Schedule and Reconnect with What Matters Most. Subscribe to her FREE, inspirational e-newsletter at www.valorieburton.com.
Please feel free to forward The Coaching Session with Valorie Burton E-Newsletter to friends and colleagues, but please forward in its entirety. The Coaching Session with Valorie Burton E-Newsletter is written and distributed by Inspire, Inc.
(c) Copyright 2010 Valorie Burton and Inspire Inc. |
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