Giving yourself Credit ...

Now this is not the kind of topic you would expect to see from me.

I am always asking you to do more, do superbly, do above average...

Why now, "the giving credit"

I have this morbid fear of giving myself credit.

I can praise people who do well. In fact, I go out of my way to praise people when they do well.

But I personally do not extend the same grace to myself. I would say 'I know myself. Too much praise would get me complacent'

Ironically, I end up not giving any praise to myself. Anyone can do it. I did just averagely. I wish I had done better.

Yesterday, in a conversation with a casual friend, she said 'Osinachi, learn to give yourself credit. You are really doing well especially at this stage.

Don't ruin it by making your body detest you.

And I thought long and hard about it. Will giving myself credit make me complacent? Will it make me less of the person I am?

Do I even deserve the credit in the first place?

I do not have an answer.

Speaking to many highly-driven professionals make me realise that I am not the only one who face this problem.

They would encourage and applaud others before even considering to applaud themselves.

You finished a task early does not mean you should start on the next immediately. It would not break you to whisper a 'well done buddy' to yourself for a work well done.

This way, when you are demanding much more from yourself, it will find it easier to co-operate.

I did not realise I have so much to say on this topic but for time constraints, I would end here. Maybe some other time, Maybe not. Only time can tell.

Giving yourself credit does not make you complacent.

Till I write you again.

With Love,

Osinachi Akanegbu