Moyra Michelle Hypnotherapy Cleveland Blog Post Gratitude

We all love praise, we all love compliments. Show me a person who doesn’t like them and I’ll show you a liar!

Compliments and praise are gifts to both the giver and receiver, nothing makes you feel better than a sincere and genuine compliment… and best of all the don’t even cost anything. So why then aren’t we better at receiving compliments like we are when we receive flowers on our birthday and candy at Christmas?

“Thanks for doing a great job” … oh it was nothing!

“You look great today” … no not really, my hair really needs a wash

“You’re an awesome worker and I love working with you” …. Sheesh *blushes, shrugs, wrings hands awkwardly*

So whats up with this? For whatever reason; modesty, lack of self esteem, lack of awareness of our own superpowers or fear of standing out…. we’ve lost the art of accepting a compliment. But never fear, I’ve got you covered. We are going back to basics here with instructions on how to accept a compliment.

1. Let it in

Yep, sounds obvious right and it is. When someone gives you a compliment don’t immediately start searching for reasons why you are not worthy of this praise. Accept it like a new puppy you just found out you can bring home.

2. Thank the person

Whether you agree or disagree with the person, they have given you this gift of a compliment, don’t turn around and tell them that their puppy is ugly. Generating gratitude towards them will help you feel awesome and them too. All the feels.

3. Acknowledge the sentiment

When a compliment is directed towards a specific characteristic or action or activity, acknowledge this. Acknowledge how you feel about it. For example if someone compliments you on your work you would say “Thank you for noticing that, I take great pride in doing my best in every task I am given.” See… all the feels right?

4. To return the compliment or not?

This is a matter of context. In a spirit of reciprocity it is nice to offer a return compliment however it only works if it is genuine. I’ve fallen into this trap way too often, saying “you look great too” when you both know that they look like shit and really need to not be in public right now (we all have those days!), sometimes it just comes out because you ‘should.’ But give out empty compliments and you devalue the true compliments that come straight from the heart. Take an extra few moments and you will find something to compliment about anyone. Anyone!

5. Remember that how we accept praise outwardly is generally how we speak to ourselves internally

If you are that person or you know that person who is inclined to say “oh no this report is not good at all” “this isn’t how I wanted this to work out at all” “no this is a terrible outfit that makes me look too big/small/old/young”…. those are the messages that you are telling yourself all the time. Excuse me! But do not do that, stop that right this minute. And when you hear anyone you know doing it stop them and insist that they accept your compliment. You have my permission, starting today.

Letting in compliments and praise are a way to start the reprogramming of accepting your wonderful gifts, talents and achievements. Be graceful, thankful and present when accepting compliments and let them flow into your life.