I love people and discovering what makes them tick. In my 20+ years in image, it is a rare moment that when I pay a genuine compliment to someone, they accept it wholeheartedly. Normally I get responses like, “Really? I guess I must be having a good hair day.” Or, my favorite, “It’s only because I’m wearing one of my colors.” You fill in the blank for you? The common thread is that the response is non-acceptance of the compliment. It simply identifies the reason I gave it to them.
WHY CAN’T WE JUST SAY, “THANK YOU”?
Do you notice that? Are you guilty of it? I am (at times) and have to be conscious of my responses because they tap into how I’m feeling about JuliAnn at the moment. Are my dark roots showing? 🙂 Is there something I’m upset about? Do I need to take some down time? Quiet time? Possibly it goes even deeper and I’m not able to trust the kind words or think I’m worthy of them. Does this resonate?
When working with clients or speaking at events I BOLDLY DARE women to accept accolades as you would a gift. It’s called the Just Say THANK YOU Challenge. When someone praises you it’s like they’ve given you a beautifully wrapped present. When you don’t graciously accept the compliment it’s like you’ve taken their gift and put it on the shelf unopened. Doesn’t it honor them to accept it? Doesn’t it honor YOU? I know it makes me feel better to have an attitude of acceptance and ultimately self love and I’m confident it will help shift you, too.
ARE YOU UP FOR THE JUST SAY THANK YOU CHALLENGE?
Why do YOU think it’s so hard to accept compliments?