“There’s no kill switch on AWESOME.” – Dilbert
A woman who worked with terminally ill patients often asked them what their biggest regrets were from their life. One of the regrets shared was that they wish they had let themselves be happier. Note the phrase “let themselves be happier”, which was them acknowledging that they now recognize that they had that choice – they could have chosen to let themselves be happier.
It’s so easy to say, “I’ll be happy once I lose 10 pounds” (I know because I say that to myself way too often!), or to say “I’ll be happy when I finish ______” or “I’ll be happy when I get to buy _____”, or “I’ll be happy if I can just accomplish ______”…..When what we should be doing is standing in front of the mirror each day yelling “I AM AWESOME! I can do anything! I am gorgeous! I am SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!”
We spend far too much of our time putting ourselves down. We criticize how we look.. we criticize our own weaknesses… we do a tremendous amount of negative self-talking. And even if we are only doing it in our heads without saying it out loud – the negative self-talk we engage in is still incredibly damaging and destructive to our self-worth.
What we need to engage in more is positive self-cheering! In all seriousness…when is the last time you looked in the mirror and told yourself you are AWESOME!!?? And gotten excited about everything good in your life?? I know it sounds a little cheesy and silly to do, but the fact is, we all need to do it far more…daily even!
Not sure how to go about it? Well watch this quick 40 second video of a little girl talking to herself in the mirror to start her day. It is the perfect example of how to self-cheer and exactly how each of us should start off every day!
Going into this week try being your own cheerleader. Start each day off in the mirror the way little Jessica did. Cheer for the things you are grateful for in your life. Tell yourself you can do anything! And as you go about your day if at any point you find yourself feeling down, trying blinking. “Why blink” you ask? Here’s why:
“A blink is like a teeny, tiny clap for your face. So even if no one else is cheering you on today, your eyelids are.” – unknown
Have a great Monday everyone. This week, choose to let yourself BE HAPPIER! And remember to bask in the applause with every blink!
~Amy Rees Anderson (author of the book “What Awesome Looks Like: How To Excel in Business & Life” )
