Become Your Own Cheerleader!
Published on 19 Feb 2007 at 7:15 pm.
7 Comments.
Filed under Business Development, Feature Articles, Personal Development Strategies.
What’s your definition of success? The fact is that success means different things to each of us. Do you measure success by how much money you make, your possessions, or social status? Maybe you count how blessed you are to have great friends, a happy marriage or peace of mind as successes to celebrate?
I count all of the above as successes!
I was having a conversation with a client last month who was beating herself up for “not doing” enough. She has high professional standards and an endless to-do list. Listening to all of her daily accomplishments, I started to chuckle at how hard she was on herself. I imagined a woman looking like an old school marm - ya know with her hair pulled in a tight bun, pointing a finger and scowling.
I pulled out my Webster’s Dictionary and looked up the definition for accomplishment. It said “the act or state of completing something successfully“.
Well, this really opened up the conversation! She never really defined accomplishments like that before! Now, she began to look at everything she successfully completed (personally and in her business) during the course of the day, as an accomplishment. She began to include things like answering part of her emails, getting her daughter off to school, doing the first draft of an article - things she never would have counted before because they weren’t totally completed! Her whole attitude shifted. Being able to see accomplishments in a different way allowed her to feel more successful. Get it?
Here’s an example:
Let’s say you’re working on a project like creating a product. You’ve laid out an action plan with specific steps and timelines for product development and marketing. Each step you complete counts as an accomplishment AND a success. Guess why some people lose motivation? You got it! Because they don’t give themselves the recognition and pats on the back for the small steps along the way. PS - that why we create short-term goals along with long-term ones! We need those WHOO-HOOS!
Here’s your call to action:
Develop a habit of acknowledging your daily accomplishments and write them down. I encourage folks to start a success journal. If you already have one, I want you to get really specific and acknowledge both your tangible and intangible successes - like having the willingness to do this exercise (and doing it!). See how many things you can recognize during the course of the day. Include the things you take for granted and do without thinking. Make it a game! In time, this will become a powerfull resource and living document you can refer to when you need a nudge or a boost (especially from YOU!)
Comments? Bring ‘em on!
sunaina on 12 Jul 2007 at 11:34 pm: 1
this was a very good article, but i count making money as success because money brings power to you & you can get everything with money, i have been a failure in getting effection from anybody may be that the reason i count my success in making money and now i have began putting my efforts in making money hope i will be able to do it to the satifactory level.
Carnival of Positive Thinking on 2 Sep 2007 at 4:44 am: 2
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Carole on 11 Nov 2007 at 8:07 pm: 4
Hi Lorraine,
Timely reminder.
Great article.
Peace, love and lots of pats on the back for me.
Carole
lorraine on 11 Nov 2007 at 8:30 pm: 5
Thanks Carole,
I wrote this a while back and I like to come back to it myself. It’s so easy to get caught up in the drama and details that we forget to show up for ourselves.
Love, peace, and pats on the back to you! I’m happy to be a cheerleader for you too!
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