One thing I’ve noticed about a lot of people, especially women, is that they don’t give themselves sufficient credit for the good things they do.

They are happy to give other people credit, and build other people up, but when it comes to themselves, they are the harshest critics of all. You wouldn’t let anyone else speak to you the way you speak to yourself!

For example, suppose last week you had a pretty good week, where you got a few things crossed off your to-do list, especially things you might have been procrastinating on. You should be feeling pretty good about yourself, right? You finally got those things done, yay.

What are the odds that you are going to continue to beat yourself up about TAKING SO LONG to get those things done? Why are we so hard on ourselves?

Many of us were raised with the idea that we are never good enough, that there is always room for improvement, and that we shouldn’t brag or get too “big-headed”.

I’m not saying we should be arrogant and boastful, but how about not calling ourselves names? How about talking to ourselves the way we talk to our children or our best friends?

Just a reminder that those thoughts, which seem to be automatic and come out of nowhere, are just bad habits, and we can change them, with effort. We don’t have to doom ourselves to a lifetime of abuse by our inner critic.

Wishing you a safe and healthy week, with lots of fun and crossing things off your lists, and ensuing celebration!