It is so very important that you be good to yourself if you are ever going to be any good for others. I have been noticing a pattern of not being able to lighten up on myself and I am seeing that mirrored in many people around me.
To be good to yourself – it means…
- Take a day off once in a while – when it’s not scheduled.
- Eat of piece of chocolate – when it’s not recommended.
- Take a nap – when it’s just not possible.
- Get your face into a good book for an hour – when you can’t afford to.
- Soak in a tub – when there’s no time to.
- Stop everything – when you’re not supposed to.
I have often cautioned people when I hear them say (and I know I do it too!!) “I should do ____” . Who says so? Does it feel right to you? What is the payback? Is it from a sense of duty or fear? If there are any detrimental effects to yourself by doing this ‘should’ don’t you think you SHOULD rethink where the impulse is coming from?
Something else that is related to this aspect of being good to yourself is accepting a compliment or praise. When your boss or client gives you praise or acknowledges a job well done – what do you do? Do you minimize it, shrug it off… do you actually hear it at the depth of your core? I invite you to remember to really HEAR the support that you need around you.
So – remember… it’s really important to be good to yourself – you will create bigger an better success in life!
It’s always so easy to be good to everyone else, and yet we take the biggest guilt trips when we’re being good to ourselves! I’ve started taking weekends off, and feel so much better and more productive the rest of the week because of it.