Thank You

Have you ever downplayed a compliment because you felt awkward accepting praise? I did, for a long time. Raised to be humble, I’d deflect compliments, listing ways I could have done better.  Instead of feeling appreciated, the person giving the compliment might have felt like I was correcting them and that their opinion wasn’t valid or valued.

I started practicing saying “thank you”. That’s it. Saying “thank you” was surprisingly hard at first, but with practice, it became easier. It felt like a small shift, but the impact was significant.  Not only did it acknowledge the compliment, but it also allowed me to graciously receive the positive energy behind it. This experience taught me that accepting compliments with a simple “thank you” helped me connect better with people and allowed me to enjoy and practice appreciation.

ACTION: Next time you receive a compliment, take a deep breath and simply say “thank you.” After accepting a compliment, try taking a moment to acknowledge your accomplishment internally.  It’s okay to feel good about your work!