Embrace your greatness
Lately I’ve encountered too many people who have a hard time articulating the value they bring to the world.
Maybe we haven’t been given the tools to ferociously seek the shiny jewels that live inside of us. Or maybe saying, “I’m really great at <insert thing>!” feels like we’re showing off.
We sit back and hope someone else notices the things we do so we don’t have to speak up and advocate for our own jewels.
But when someone DOES say, “Wow, you crushed it. You’re so great at <thing>!” We tend to deflect or brush off the compliment.
So here we are, too timid to declare our greatness, and too insecure to accept other people’s observation of our greatness. No wonder we’re unclear about our value!
I’m here to tell you to get over yourself. It’s not polite or humble. This is your important responsibility.
Not knowing your value or greatness is actually a disservice to yourself and to everyone around you.
If you’re a leader who doesn’t know your value, you prevent your team from growing. Leaders model behavior. People look to you for information and inspiration about how to be great.
If you’re in a relationship and don’t know your value, you’re more likely to settle and rely too heavily on your partner for your self-worth. This inequity will throw off your relationship balance.
If you’re an entrepreneur/creative/dreamer and you don’t know your value, you’ll rationalize why your big dreams don’t deserve to become reality. Imagine all the people who won’t witness your magic because you’re choosing to play small.
How the heck do we embrace our greatness?
Accept that you do something better than anyone else
Most of the time we don’t recognize this because it’s second nature. It’s so effortless we assume everyone can do it. False! If it’s effortless for you, it’s because you’re GREAT AT IT. Even if someone else does it well, they don’t do it with the same perspective, flair and passion you innately have.
Get good at accepting compliments
Giving compliments feels good. Recognizing something special and sharing our observations gives us a boost.
When someone gives you a compliment and you reject or downplay it, you’re essentially telling the giver, “You’re wrong. Your observation is incorrect and dumb.” You’d probably never say that, but that’s how your deflection sounds.
So what can we do?
Externally: Say “thank you,” and tell the giver you appreciate their feedback/observation.
Internally: Notice how the compliment makes you feel (happy, grateful, uncomfortable, doubtful), and ask yourself, “What is this compliment teaching me?”
Declare your greatness
Make a list of the things you love to do and are great at. Regardless of whether they generate income. Regardless of whether you think they’re silly or stupid. List the things you love about yourself and others love about you. Get comfortable with the stuff on this list. Share it with a friend and get their input!
You’re responsible for knowing, claiming and declaring your value. No one knows better than you what you need and what you deserve. It’s time to own it!
