We spend so much time beating ourselves up for things we should have done differently, better or not at all. We criticize ourselves for what we consider our flaws. And, we minimize or ignore our achievements. Why? This doesn’t serve us.
Everything we do, we do to make us feel a certain way (usually, we want to feel happier than we are). If you are dieting, your end goal isn’t the weight loss itself—it’s the way you believe the weight loss will cause you to feel (attractive, sexy, confident). If you are building a business, the success of the business isn’t your end goal—it’s the way that success will make you feel (successful, purposeful, secure, free).
So, if it’s the feeling we’re after, why do we keep ourselves from feeling it fully when we achieve it? It’s not only ok, it’s important to feel the feelings you deserve when you achieve your goals. If you don’t, you are pursuing things that won’t get rewarded. And, effort without reward is a motivation-killer. We need rewards to keep us going.
If you’re not appreciating yourself because you don’t want to be self-centered or don’t want to brag, know that being proud of yourself doesn’t mean you think you’re better than other people. It doesn’t mean you don’t appreciate what other people achieve as well. We can all be successful and happy.
Maybe you believe that the things you do aren’t worthy of praise because you did them with minimal effort. There aren’t qualifications for what can make us feel proud or happy. These feelings are achieved as a result of things big and small.
So, allow yourself to experience the positive feelings of being proud of yourself for all that you do and all that you are. Be your own biggest fan! And, spread the joy. Compliment others freely. Imagine how different the world would be when we all feel proud and happy about who we are.