I was talking to a client today, listening to a recent success she’s had.
She was happy about it, really happy.
And I was happy for her. She not only reached a significant goal, she exceeded it.
Naturally, I asked her how she was going to celebrate her success. She had been thinking about that because in a previous coaching session, I suggested she reward herself when she met her goal.
She had decided to take a long weekend with her family to a nearby resort. The whole family was excited.
Then I suggested this to her: “Go to a fine stationary store and buy yourself the most lavish congratulations card you can find. Then write a heartfelt note to yourself in it, praise yourself and congratulate yourself for your achivement.”
When I was finished I shut up.
There was silence on the other end of the phone. Ninety-five seconds of pure silence.
I broke the silence by asking, “Are you still there.”
“Yes” I heard on the other end of the line.
Then, more silence.
“I can’t do that,” she said.
“You can’t do what?” I asked.”
“I can’t send myself a congratulations card!”
“Why is that?” I asked.
“Because that would be ridiculous. It would be weird.” she said.
She thought I was joking at first.
Then, she thought I was crazy!
I often get this kind of response when I make this suggestion to a client.
That’s interesting, don’t you think?
I’ve never met a person who had a problem sending a friend or a colleague a congratulations card.
But, I’ve talked to many clients who have a problem sending themselves the same thing.
What’s that about? Are other people deserving of our praise, our admiration…but we’re not?
Think about the what message that sends to our subconscious minds.
So, I gave her another coaching assignment:
Send the congratulations card to yourself. Then send yourself another one for getting out of your comfort zone by sending the first one.
Could you complete these two assignments?
Will you?
What do you think?
Keep me posted!
Categorized in: Self-Esteem/Self-Worth, Uncategorized
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