How to Do What Matters in a Self-Kind Way
"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."
Buddha
"People throw away what they could have by insisting on perfection, which they cannot have, and looking for it where they will never find it."
Edith Schaeffer
It's common to set high standards for yourself to achieve goals and stay motivated, but this approach can have negative consequences. Here are three drawbacks of being too hard on yourself:
1. You tear down your self-esteem.
As you achieve things, you may also diminish your self-esteem, leading to feelings of unworthiness and frustration.
2. You suck the fun and excitement out of things.
Being harsh on yourself can turn enjoyable activities into chores that you dread, draining the joy out of life.
3. You'll perform worse over time.
Low self-esteem and lack of motivation can result in procrastination and decreased productivity, affecting the quality of your work.
If you find yourself being overly critical, here are four tips to be kinder to yourself and improve your well-being:
1. Remind yourself of the negative effects.
Reflect on how self-criticism has impacted you and consider the benefits of being kinder to yourself.
2. Set realistic standards.
Avoid striving for unattainable perfection and accept that imperfection is part of being human.
3. Focus on learning from setbacks.
Instead of dwelling on mistakes, use them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
4. Celebrate small victories.
Recognize and celebrate your daily achievements to maintain motivation and enthusiasm on your journey towards larger goals.
By adopting a more compassionate and understanding attitude towards yourself, you can enhance your self-esteem, enjoy the process of growth, and achieve success without sacrificing your well-being.
