AM I BRAGGING? How to Tell the Difference Between Bragging and Self-Praise.

How many times have you accomplished something great and then decided not to acknowledge it because you worried that you sound like you are bragging?  

How many times have been congratulated or acknowledged by others and chose to minimize it or blow it off because you didn’t feel worthy of their attention and affirmation?

My guess is that it happens frequently. “What, this ole web design? I’ll never win any awards with that. Oh, you mean that workshop? The content isn’t all that earth-shattering. This dress? My goodness, I got this off the clearance rack for $10.”

Sound familiar?

LESSONS FROM ONE OF THE GREATS

Those of you who follow the NFL will know that Drew Brees broke the All Time Passing Yards record in 2019.

The night of the game in which he broke the passing record, Drew’s wife and four children were staged along the sideline so they could celebrate with him. After breaking the record, he went to the sideline to be with his family for a few minutes. There was something very simple, but very compelling that hit me while I was watching them. 

Drew kissed his wife then kneeled down in front of his kids and he said, “did you see that? That was amazing, wasn’t it? I always want to you remember that you can accomplish anything you want if you are willing to work for it.”

But it wasn’t his statement about work and accomplishment that struck me. It was his willingness to state that he had done something amazing. That breaking this record was a big deal and he was proud of it. 

So many of us, especially women, are hesitant to admit when we’ve done something great. We qualify it and minimize it and sweep it under the rug. I’m not sure if we do it because we don’t want to draw attention to ourselves or if we don’t want to sound egotistical – like we’re bragging – or if we don’t really think we are worthy of it.

It’s probably for each and a combination of all of those reasons. 

IT’S OKAY TO PRAISE YOURSELF!

But here is my public service announcement: ITS OKAY TO CALL A BIG DEAL A BIG DEAL.

It’s okay to say, “did you see that? Did you see what I just did? It was amazing and I’m proud of it.”

If you do it correctly, no one will even once call you egotistical. Drew Brees is one of the most humble people and biggest team players you will find in the NFL. He always gives credit where credit is due. But he was willing to acknowledge that what he did was awesome. He was NOT bragging!

I want to encourage each of you to use Drew’s statement to his kids as a reminder that we need to take credit for our accomplishments. It’s important for your family and friends to see you be proud of what you do and to call a big deal a big deal.

And it’s important for you as well!

This is only one of many topics I cover with my clients as I coach and support them in growing thriving businesses! If you would like to know more about that and how I can help you become the CEO of your own thriving business contact me here!

I also offer group coaching in how to build your business AND avoid burnout with our own Peaceful Living Wellness editor Jen Robinson! You can find out more about that here.

Wishing you GREAT SUCCESS!

Stacy

STACY OLDFIELD

After nearly 25 years in Corporate America, Stacy launched Minerva Management Partners as a way to combine those years of business experience with her life coaching certification and love for coaching women. Minerva Management Partners is a business coaching practice designed to support women entrepreneurs committed to launching and growing their business. Also, as a Results Coach with Robbins Research International, Stacy helps business women to focus their ideas and efforts and holds them accountable for achieving their goals. Whether it’s helping women discover creative solutions to their business challenges, coaching them to be clear and decisive, or helping them see and take action on new opportunities, Stacy guides them to achieve the business and career results they are seeking.  Stacy is also the creator of the Minerva 3-Day Networking Challenge and the Network Like a Boss Lady On-Demand training program. Stacy has been invited to speak to many audiences within South Carolina including the Center for Women, Women Entrepreneurs of Charleston, the Women of the Workforce program of the Naval Information Warfare Center (SPAWAR), Charleston Women in Business, Association of Fundraising Professionals, SCANPO, graduate classes at both The Citadel and the College of Charleston (CofC), and Leadership CofC. She currently serves as a mentor through the Women of Excellence Program at Xavier University and previously served on the Board of Directors for the Beautiful Gate Center and on the advisory board of the SC Women’s Business Center.