Think you’re ready to become superhuman?
Let’s test that.
Here are three phrases that you might be uncomfortable saying out loud:
Thank you
For context, I don’t mean saying thank you when someone passes you a hot, fluffy dinner roll. That’s easy. I mean saying “thank you” as acceptance of a genuine compliment or show of appreciation for something you’ve done.
Many people have a hard time accepting appreciation, celebration, or praise. They may be quick to diminish whatever they’re being complimented about. They may deflect, believing that the action that they took was not worthy of thanks or praise.
What might your life look like if you learned to react differently?
What if, following the compliment…
- You paused long enough to let all of the instinctual deflections and self-criticisms fade away.
- You gave yourself that very brief moment to allow yourself to be appreciated.
- You thanked that other person, not for acknowledging you, but for giving you a short but significant reprieve from all of the pressure you feel to be better, do more, and finally be good enough.
⚡️ It’s going to be tough to reach your full potential if you can’t even accept a little external appreciation.
I’m proud of [my accomplishment]
For many of us, it can be tough to hear compliments from others. Yet, it’s still somehow more palatable that allowing yourself to take pride in something you’ve done.
The voices in your mind rise up so quickly to cast doubt.
“Was it really good enough to be proud of?”
And yet, none of that is actually relevant to feeling pride. There is no objective measure of good enough to take pride in your own actions. No one knows what you had to overcome to do what you did.
“Haven’t others done so much more than you? What are you even proud of?”
But there is no need, and often no value in measuring your own accomplishments against others. Timing, connections, natural abilities, and luck are all factors that vary from person to person.
“So that’s it? You’re done? Mission Accomplished? Pathetic, get back to work.”
Perhaps taking a moment to acknowledge and be proud of your progress is what keeps you motivated. Or maybe, what comes next, can just wait to come next, and needn’t interfere with your willingness to love yourself and your efforts.
⚡️ It’s going to be a long road and less satisfying journey through life if you can’t enjoy your wins along the way.
I’m really good at [skill]
Maybe you haven’t had any problem with the first two. You’re ok with accepting compliments and praise. You’re comfortable taking pride in an accomplishment. But, these are both one-time events.
Are you ready to accept and boldly declare that you are good at something? Or is it more likely, that it feels a little arrogant or cocky to state, in no uncertain terms, that you have a subject matter expertise, mastery of a particular skill, or excellence within a particular domain?
Again, those same voices come in to interrogate you:
“Just who exactly do you think you are, hot shot?”
Most likely, you shrink amidst the questions circling your mind.
- Isn’t it socially risky to be so boldly confident in myself?
- Isn’t it objectively better to be quiet and humble?
But let me ask you, what would it take for you to be comfortable acknowledging that you’re good at something? Would you need someone else to confirm it? Do you need to acquire a certain number of accolades? Would it be possible to be good at something without either of those conditions?
⚡️ It’s going to be an endless task of seeking validation if you can’t figure out how to acknowledge your abilities.
Take Control of the Frame
Choosing to love and accept yourself takes immense courage in a world that asks you to compare yourself to others and quantify your self-worth through productivity and salary.
Instead, you can adopt a practice to become superhuman by learning to accept appreciation from others, appreciate your own accomplishments, and celebrate your strengths. All of this helps you to embark on your chosen mission with confidence and resilience.
Start by finding the origin of the barrier and critically examine it. Try to identify what is true versus what is a cultural narrative that fails to serve your growth and inner peace.
Once you’ve gotten clear on the programming you’ve absorbed over time, you are in a better position to make a different choice.
- Choose to be genuinely appreciative of kind words from others.
- Choose to take a moment to smell the roses of your own victories.
- Choose to take pride in your abilities, knowing that it does not stop you from being humble and continuing to grow.
The only thing left to do after this is practice.
I know that because you made it all the way through this post, that you’re headed in the right direction. Make sure to help others do the same.
I hope you enjoyed this post!
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