“It’s usually best to be generous with praise and cautious with criticism.” Anonymous

You’ve heard this quote before, right? Me, too. It might even be one of those things that belongs under the heading, “Everything we need to know we learned in kindergarten.” We may occasionally need to be reminded of this, but for the most part, it’s understood, right?

But what about when it comes to ourselves? Do we hold our self talk to the same high standards we reserve for others? Or, do we completely disregard this sage advice and double down on the criticism, believing somehow that will be exactly what our mind and heart need to hear to “motivate” us to be/do/have more? If so, how’s that working out for you? Is that negative self talk inspiring you?

Right, probably not. So should we both take a quick kindergarten refresher course? My self talk definitely leans toward criticism far more often than praise. What would happen if we applied the wise words of “Anonymous” to ourselves? What praise would you start with? Could you come up with just 3 amazing things about yourself that you really need to hear? I will do the same. As I’ve said before, “if I said to others what I say to myself, I’d have no friends!”

With Gratitude,

Beth