Use Kindness To Act Now
In my last video, I talked on the importance to develop self-compassion, especially to better express leadership traits.
Leaders must first and foremost be aware of their strengths and weaknesses, be transparent about them to show authenticity and humanity. Both are characteristics to obtain adhesion, engagement, and encourage others to act.
Nonetheless, the more aware we are about our flaws, the more we can be prone to blame ourselves for our inadequacy. Hence why it is so needed to develop self-compassion, to accept ourselves as we are now, while still aiming to improve over time.
If you are not kind to ourselves, we can be paralyzed. We can be stuck in our thoughts, always balancing the pros and the cons, never taking actions. We might not act because we fear not being good enough, not be up to the task we set ourselves to accomplish.
So we remain in the status quo. We do not act. And when we don’t take action, we do not grow, we do not learn.
The worse part is that, if we don’t act, if we don’t try, we will never be able to know with certainty the results. There will always be “what if” and regrets.
To live fully, we need to get out of our comfort zone, we need to be willing to challenge the status quo. We need to hate the stillness which stifles our growth.
Whether personal or professional, we have to test our assumptions with actions. Reality is the only test that will give you certainty.
It doesn’t mean, we should act irrationally, or just on an impulse, but rather that there is a time to think and there is a time to act. Both are equally important, and one without the other won’t provide good results (if any are provided).
So to enable ourselves to act, to go beyond the thinking part, we need to accept the fact that we are not perfect, that we can get is wrong, and that it is normal, this is part of growing, of learning.
We need to learn how to be kind to ourselves.
To Know More About How Act Now Using Self-Compassion
To know more about self-compassion, I suggest you read the great book from Dr. Kristin Neff, called: “Self-Compassion – The Proven Power Of Being Kind To Yourself“
Based on her extensive years of research, Dr. Kristin Neff explores and details the ins and outs of self-compassion. She paints for us a detailed picture of this notion and the ones related to it.
One of the simplest, yet best advice, I keep for myself when I want to be kinder to myself is, how would I talk to a friend about this topic.
We would probably never be too harsh or cynical with our friend’s issue. Would we really tell them: “you are good to nothing, you will never get it done. Just stop already?”
Surely not, we would show them kindness, provide them words of encouragement, maybe a bit of guidance.
“You can do it! I know it is not easy, but you have it into you. Don’t give up” or it could also be along the lines of: “At least, you tried. You should be proud of yourself. You did great, even if you didn’t reach your goal. Be proud!”
So, remember, when you start to self-talk with a strong critical and pessimist voice, try to talk to yourself as if you were talking to your best friend. Show yourself some compassion. You deserve it, and it will set you on the path of success.
If you want to know more about self-compassion, just read this exciting book: “Self-Compassion – The Proven Power Of Being Kind To Yourself” by Dr Kristin Neff, using this link https://amzn.to/2ZBrW2X
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