Accepting Your Strengths

Accepting Your Strengths

This is from The Self Confidence Workbook by Barbara Markway, PhD and Celia Ampel with my thoughts added. 

Example: Julia finds herself greeting even her biggest blessings in life with the same troubling thought, “What’s the catch?” When she wins a big contest in her industry, she thinks, “Well, there must not have been many entries this year.” When a man she likes asks her on a date, she works herself into a frenzy-she’s sure he’s made a mistake, and she’ll soon be revealed as the big dork she is. When someone gives her a compliment, she always deflects, giving the credit to someone else. 

Can you relate to the way Julia feels? Do you always feel that something bad is just around the corner? Do you believe your accomplishments are not as impressive as others’? Do you find it hard to believe that people love you or even like you? Do you have trouble accepting compliments? 

These can all be signs of self-esteem troubles and a difficulty in accepting your strengths. Everyone is good at some things and not at others. Understanding and accepting your strengths is a big part of having self-confidence. 

Many people resist compliments and good fortune, because they do not think they deserve them. You don’t have to tell yourself that you are the best student, parent, soccer player, etc. When you have worked hard, give yourself credit. When you do a good job or try something new, let yourself feel some pride. Accepting your strengths helps you keep your weaknesses in perspective, one of the keys to walking through the world with confidence. 

Try working on the identification of your strengths by responding to the following prompts: 

Compliments I have received

Challenges I have overcome

An important role I have fulfilled

An important task I have tackled

Skills I enjoy using regardless of the task

A time I’ve helped someone else