4 Ways to Accept a Compliment Without Putting Yourself Down

Why is it so hard for us to accept compliments? Is this just a female thing or do guys have this issue too? I was listening in on a
public conversation one day and I heard a lady get
offered a compliment. She proceeded to come up with
every self put down imaginable when someone simply
told her that she looked nice on that day. She
immediately responded with, "ya think? I wasn't sure if
this dress looked right when I put it on since I've gained
so much weight…"

I was sitting there thinking why couldn't she just accept
the compliment WITHOUT putting herself down?

Everyone has their own reasons. So I thought about
myself and the way I receive compliments. Someone
tells me they really like my work and I think to myself,
wow really? Like I don't believe them. It's like I can't
bring myself to just ACCEPT someone's kind words.

Listening to that lady shed light on the fact that I, too,
am sometimes unable to take or accept a compliment.
So why is that? Could it be a self esteem issue?
According to PsychologyToday.com a person's ability to
graciously accept a compliment is directly related to their
self esteem.

"If we believe we're truly undesirable, hearing
compliments about how attractive we are will feel
jarring and inauthentic." ~PsychologyToday.com

My colleagues are so amazing that sometimes I feel like I
pale in comparison. When one of them tells me that
they think I am awesome, I just can't accept it. So it
doesn't just stop with physical appearance. Someone
says, "Good Job!" We look around to see if that positive
comment was meant for us or someone else! And then
we teach it to our kids. A lady approaches a little girl
who is with her mother and she says, "Your hair looks
pretty today with those puffs!" Her mother immediately
chimed in with, "Thanks, BUT her hair hasn't been done
in weeks. We have an appointment soon…"

None of us are able to see ourselves the way others see
us. So if someone thinks you look good, or that your
outfit is nice, or that you run your business like a boss
and handle yourself with respect…and especially if they
take the time to let a positive thought escape their lips…
ACCEPT IT! Its meant for you. Take it Don't reject it by
putting your own self down like I used to.

A good way to learn to receive a compliment is to tell
yourself something positive daily.
Challenge: Everyday for 30 days when you look in your
mirror say something nice about yourself to yourself.

Here are some examples of things that you can tell
yourself:

You are beautiful.

You are the best in your class.

Your ideas are brilliant!
After you have learned how to receive and accept praise,
here are 4 ways to respond to it when it is given:

. Give Thanks - It's simple. Just say Thank You.

. Return the Compliment - Compliment the person
who complimented you. This will help you get used
to receiving.

. Show Appreciation - Let the person know that you
really appreciate them for taking the time to offer
you a blessing

. Accept the Compliment - Twirl so that they can
get the full view or say, "Yesss!" in agreement
We live in a society where bad news and negative
energy permeate everything that we do. The saying
goes," if you can't say something nice, then don't say
anything at all." well this ALSO APPLIES to ourselves!

Squash that little negative inner voice of yours that tells
you that you don't deserve these verbal blessings. We
have to show our children another way. Learn to accept
your compliments right now! YOU are awesome!