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by Vickie Reine, Entrepreneur & Founder of The Wellpreneur Life
If no one has told you this, I will...you are simply amazing, a bad-ass, and a queen. You are a valuable human being with a unique way of making a positive difference in the world. The little things you do every day for others that go unnoticed matter.
As women, we are often the primary caregiver in our families, and as women entrepreneurs, we are leaders and mentors in our businesses, and often, our industry.
These roles put us in positions where we are often encouraging, supporting, and acknowledging others, but who acknowledges us?
While we may get awards and acknowledgement from society and our peers for our big and visible achievements, philanthropy, and contributions, there are little things that we do every day that go unnoticed but also deserve to be recognized.
A distinction of the little things that we do is that they more clearly reveal the truth about who we really are and what we truly value.
Did you offer someone support or a helping hand today? Did you give a thoughtful gift infused with love to someone? Did you open a literal or figurative door for someone, offer words of encouragement, make a donation at the grocery store, walk a neighbor's dog, or ignore someone's rude comments? Did you decide to say "no" to an outing with a friend with whom a friendship no longer serves you? Did you set boundaries with a client who practices "scope creep"?
Take a moment each day this week to acknowledge yourself for the little things you did and the grace you showed others. Nothing is too small. Everything counts and reveals your inner beauty, power, values, generosity, and strength.
If you are thinking that you don't need to be acknowledged for the little things you do, consider where this conversation is coming from.
Did someone tell you something you did wasn't important or reprimand you for being happy or proud about something you made, did, or accomplished?
Is not acknowledging your contributions a learned way of being you saw in a parent?
Is fear of being branded as conceited, self-centered, or a bitch holding you back?
Are you thinking you are too old, too accomplished, or too whatever to need to do this?
Forget. 👏 That. 👏 Bullshit. 👏
Here are the very real powers and benefits of self-acknowledgement:
Grow Your Self-Worth
To be a successful entrepreneur, especially a woman entrepreneur, one has to possess a certain amount of self-confidence and a belief in one's own abilities and capacity to succeed. That's a given. However, while our self-confidence and self-esteem may be high, that doesn't necessarily mean our self-worth is also high.
That's because self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth are not the same thing. It doesn't matter how accomplished we are or how much confidence we have in our abilities, our feelings of self-worth are shaped by what we say to ourselves about ourselves, our being worthy of love, consideration, and respect, and our value as a human being.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), self-worth is an individual’s evaluation of themself as a valuable, capable human being deserving of respect and consideration. The key words here being "evaluation of themself...".
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington notes: "Self-worth is the internal sense of being good enough and worthy of love and belonging from others. Self-worth is often confused with self-esteem, which relies on external factors such as successes and achievements to define worth and can often be inconsistent leading to someone struggling with feeling worthy."
By acknowledging your kindness, your compassion, and your contribution in the little things you do every day, you are reinforcing your value as a human being, deserving of respect and consideration...beginning with yourself and for your Self.
Increase Your Self-Love
Self-acknowledgement feeds your soul. It provides nourishment for your mind, heart, and spirit, and is self-care in its purest form, and self-care is self-love in action.
Let's face it, demonstrating grace when someone is rude, being generous when resources are tight, or lending a hand isn't always easy. Be proud of your ability to transcend basic reactions and be your best self even when it isn't easy.
By acknowledging the little things you do, you will be expressing and growing your self-love and giving yourself the spiritual nourishment we all need to thrive and flourish.
Gain Greater Clarity & Alignment with Your Values
While we can all rattle off a list of what we think our values are, our actions—and how we feel about them—speak louder than our words.
Are the actions you are taking and decisions you are making every day in alignment with your values? How did you express your values today?
Opened a door for an elderly person? Value = Respect
You are someone who chooses to be respectful of others.
Did you leave a note with your info and own up to accidentally scratching someone's car in the parking lot even though no one saw you? Value = Honesty
You are someone who chooses honesty.
By self-acknowledging you will gain greater clarity of your values. In turn, this will inform and enhance your values-driven decision-making in all areas of your life, including your business, your relationships, your health, and your finances.
Experience Magic
Yes, "magic". When you are being the highest version of yourself at any given moment of your life and you acknowledge it, you are in alignment with the Universe. You are recognizing and seeing the true version of yourself, the version you are meant to be.
When we see and recognize this person as ourselves, magic happens.
Magic comes in the form of chance encounters, new opportunities, synchronicities, upgrades, acknowledgement from others, new friends, and more. Acknowledge these new openings as well for even greater clarity in your values-driven decision-making, growing self-love and self-worth, and a nourished heart, mind, and spirit.
Put this weekly challenge into practice starting today. Download the workbook here to get started!
