Motivational Monday: Don’t Hate. Congratulate!

I wonder who was the first person was to say “Don’t hate. Congratulate!” If you know who it was, please send them a great big thank you for that bit of sage advice. It is true wisdom for the ages, particularly for someone like you.

Yeah, I said it.

Oh, but I am not talking about you throwing shade on someone else’s success, achievements and happiness.

I am talking about the way you ignore your own.

Think about it for just a moment. Yes, I know you are not where you want to be. Of course your current list of goals still has unchecked items. I hear you comparing yourself to what other people are doing. This isn’t about them. It’s about recognizing you for your own personal best efforts.

Look at how far you have come from where you use to be. Take a good look at all you have done and all you are doing. You are not the one sitting on the sidelines talking about what needs to be done. You are busy doing it. That is something to be very proud of. You are one fantastic person if for no other reason than you are better than you were before.

So don’t hate. Congratulate!

Yes, I know it is hard because you do not see yourself as others see you. The way you started that business that is making a difference; the way you volunteer for that organization; the way you brought that group together to make something so fabulous happen; the way you always seem to be there for the people in your life; the way you created that gift or how you went about getting that degree; the way you always seem to step up and take the initiative without needing a title or position; the way you decided to follow your dreams and live a life of passion and purpose; how you took that risk for something greater than yourself.

Yes I know you do not do these things to be applauded. You do them simply because you see they need to be done.

You do not even realize that the way you are busy just doing it is an inspiration to people around you. We do not tell you often enough but it is true. Your coworkers, your boss, your clients, your family, your friends, your children are pretty impressed by how you do you. Some of us may never think to state it but you are a model of determination, sacrifice, focus, courage, achievement, and excellence. Uh, yes, I am still talking about you. Look at you squirming over there.

Now let me ask you a serious question. How resistant have you been to the idea of giving yourself some credit for your current state of success, achievements and happiness?

Don’t hate. Congratulate!

There a huge difference between acknowledging your accomplishments and having an out of control ego. Do you even remember the last time you said something positive about your accomplishments? I will bet there was snow on the ground. There may have been a different sitting US President. Do not make me pull out a picture of the hair you were rocking back then. Seriously, what are you waiting for?

Will you give yourself permission to congratulate yourself today?

Shhh, I won’t tell anyone how good you actually feel once you try it. If you are so bold as to actually pat yourself on the back right now and say a sincere Good job! to yourself, we will just keep that between us.

Yes, absolutely the project is still in progress. Clearly the work is still unfinished. Go back to the task list and begin reading all the things you have done. Chances are you are so busy moving on to the next thing, you rarely think about how little acknowledgment you give yourself for a job well done.

Don’t hate. Congratulate!

If you can give others credit where credit it due, why not treat yourself to a pleasant word about something great you have done. You say thank you to other people all day long. It is part of the reason they think of you as such a great leader. So how do you thank yourself? You absolutely deserve a personal thank you for the effort you have already made.

Try it before you go back to work.