“Your harshest critic is always going to be yourself. Don’t ignore that critic but don’t give it more attention than it deserves.” ~Michael Ian Black
How many times have you beaten yourself up for something you’ve done? How many times have you stopped your action because you feel like you’re not at your best?
We’ve all done it.
Stumbling is human. Unfortunately, so is self-criticism. Imagine how much more we’d get done if we didn’t stand in our own way?
Happiness comes from being more in tune with your positive steps while learning to ignore negative habits that hold you back. To boost your self-esteem - and your happiness - try these four things.
Compare yourself to you
What happens when you compare yourself to others? That’s when you become your most critical. You’re not good enough. You don’t have the right credentials. You don’t have the right skillset. You don’t have the right stuff.
When you stop comparing yourself to others, you start focusing in on you. You can vamp that up by comparing yourself to you. How have I improved in the past year? How am I doing [this] better?
Suddenly, you can see growth in yourself and you become happier with your results. It can help drive you to the next level.
Be kinder to others
Have you ever noticed that how you treat others tends to be how you think of yourself? If you’re grouchy, your bad mood shows up in those around you. If you’re happy, you tend to resonate better with family and friends.
Now try focusing in on being kinder. You’ll be amazed at what you discover.
Listen more - put down your mobile device and focus on what people are saying
Back off and let someone into your lane
Notice someone needing help and give it - hold a door open or help lift something heavy
Let go of perfectionism
One of the biggest reasons most people beat themselves up is because of perfectionism. When you’re constantly raising standards too high to reach, of course, you’re going to fail.
It’s also why you procrastinate. If you have no chance of reaching your goals, why try?
Instead, chunk it out. Give yourself tiny tasks and goals you can achieve. Then congratulate yourself as you check them off your list.
Be your own best friend
We all stumble. It’s what you do when you stumble that matters most.
Think about how a parent or a best friend would respond if you told them about your situation. Then take that advice and give it to yourself.
Give yourself comfort. Give yourself a break.
You’ll be happier in the process.