Creating Happiness - The Power of Self Approval

There are issues that come up in life that cause us to lose self-respect. During these times we tend to feel discouraged and start procrastinating when important tasks need to be performed.

This is when we need to do two things:

1. We need to look inward, and recognize all the accomplishments we've had.
2. We also need to reward ourselves for the positive things we've done.

I have many friends who procrastinate when it comes to accomplishing something important. I see it happening all the time. I have to admit that I catch myself making the same mistake.

It goes like this: They are stuck in a rut and they need to move on. However, they feel like they won't succeed, so they dream up all the reasons why it won't work.

The way it looks to me, they are in denial. They feel comfortable with the status quo. They find it difficult to put the effort into doing whatever needs to be done to get to a better place in life.

Do you find yourself doing this? Are you not happy with your present job, your personal relationships, or the present place where you live? Whatever the circumstance, it can be changed.

You may be reading this because you find yourself in one of those particular situations and you know in your heart that you are not, and have not been, doing anything about it. You're eager to find the solution, or you're hoping you'll at least become motivated. Am I right?

Recognize Your Accomplishments

Well, the motivation comes from within. I can't motivate you. Something is holding you back, and there's nothing I can do about it. I've learned time and time again that friends don't listen to advice.

You need to look inward yourself and come to terms with whatever it is that's standing in the way. While you're doing that, focus on your past accomplishments. I'm sure you had many. You just are ignoring it in order to stay with the status quo.

If it helps, make a list on paper of each time in your life when you accomplished a great feat. Think back. You had situations in the past that were troubling and you did whatever you needed to do to get past it. You forgot you've done that, didn't you? Well, you can do it again.

Maybe you once had to do something nerve-racking that you didn't look forward to doing, like giving a speech in elementary school. Nevertheless, you did it, and you did well.

Keep going. Fill up that list. Now you have something to look at to help with self-approval. In addition, you should reward yourself for those accomplishments that went unnoticed in your own mind.

Self-Gifting

After all we've been through, it's useful to reward ourselves for getting through tough times. Self-gifting is a method of self-approval. It can lift our spirits, especially when we lost all motivation to make plans for positive change.

Deciding on a gift will also give us something to do that's enjoyable. Take the time to think of things you've always wanted. Find where to get it and make a gift to yourself. Think of it as a reward. You earned it.

Now you have the power to find that energy to move forward. You'll feel happy about it because you know you can. You already proved it.

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