Kudos Are Not Carrots or Sticks

October 17, 2021

Have you ever actually patted yourself on the back?

It’s physically awkward, so probably not.

Perhaps the awkwardness is a good thing so we don’t do it too often.

However, it’s not just physically awkward, it’s also emotionally awkward, because we fear swelling our heads.

So most of us don’t do it physically or emotionally at all.

But this misses an opportunity.

Acknowledgment fuels accomplishment.

It is not wrong or bad to acknowledge accomplishment.

It won’t turn you into a braggart or narcissist.

Making it to Friday evening without yelling at anyone could be an accomplishment.

An accomplishment can be just acknowledging how hard you’ve been trying.

Turn this minute into a moment

Next time you have a long day of intense activity and your head is buzzing, try this exercise. Sit back and physically pat yourself on the back and see what you recollect. If you can get past the awkwardness of it, you might discover that you actually did accomplish something. You might be surprised to find that nothing horrible happens in that awkwardness.

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