How to be Nicer to Yourself
…Something I am great at coaching others to do but horrible at myself.
“I blew it,” my friend Jen declared after giving a presentation at work. “I’m a horrible public speaker.”
”Go easy on yourself,” I responded. “You’re smart, you get along with everyone, you’re easy to work with. Stop beating yourself up.”
“Yeah but public speaking is petrifying and I let it get to me. I feel like such an impostor. They probably don’t like me anymore.”
“You are NOT an imposter. People at work love you. Stop talking to yourself like that. It’s abusive!”
I couldn’t understand how she could be so hard on herself, so self-critical. If only she could see herself as I see her. She is highly qualified as a scientist, she’s fun to be around, she’s interesting to talk to. Anyone would want her as a friend or co-worker.
I am really good at coaching other people to be easier on themselves. To stop their negative self-talk. To focus on their positive qualities.
I mean, life is short, right? Why pick yourself apart when you don’t need to?
We are all good at something. We all matter.
Don’t we?
