Do you remember Peter Pan telling Wendy “I’ve Gotta Crow”? Wendy says to him, “Oh Peter, you’re so conceited”, and he replies with his song:
It’s just that I am what I am
And I’m me!
I look at myself
And I see in myself
All the wonderful things that I am
If I’m pleased with myself
I have ev’ry good reason to be.
What do you see in your mirror? My guess is your focus in more related to your perceived flaws that “all the wonderful things” that are unique and wonderful about you.
That being said, I think that somewhere deep down we all understand that we do have wonderful things to brag about, but we bury them because bragging is not acceptable in our society, especially for women. Sometimes we bury the positives so well it’s difficult to uncover them. The consequence is that we become disconnected to our positive qualities and more connected to what we consider to be our weaknesses. Just ask any woman to talk about her weaknesses and see how long she can discuss the topic versus her difficulty acknowledging her accomplishments.
Of course, this is all intimately related to self promotion. It is vitally important to stay connected to your value and believe in yourself in order to promote yourself.
How do you do that?
Well, maybe we should all practice bragging!
I’m not saying that we should brag in public because I know that often backfires. What I am recommending is that you practice bragging to yourself. Every day find at least one thing to “crow” about. In fact, put bragging on your to do list. Brag a little, pat yourself on the back for your accomplishments and all your unique qualities.
One daily dose of bragging will boost your immune system and self confidence, and help you stay intimately connected with your value.
What would you like to brag about today? Write a comment!
This is so true. And I love the idea that we boost our immune systems by getting better at tooting our own horn…along with our self-confidence.
Dear Bonnie:
I guess I would brag that I went to the same college (Connecticut College, ’76)as someone with such a great perspective as you. Does that make me even close to nearly as smart as you. I don’t know about all that, but it’s something else I could brag about.
I enjoyed your “I Gotta Crow”, and with your permission I would like to pass it along to family members who I think could benefit from it.
Thank you.
Hank
Hank,
Thanks for your comment. Nice to hear from a fellow CC grad and I am pleased that you would like to share the post with your family.
My parents and grandparents, although humble people, would say, “If you don’t blow your own horn, no one else will do it for you.”
CarryAnne,
That’s terrific. Has that made it easier for you to toot your horn every so often?
As my father would always say….”It’s hard to be humble when you’re as great as I am”. It’s funny my family and friends have always told me I love to brag, however I’m just sharing stories about my life. Late teens I began looking in the mirror everyday and telling myself I am worth a million bucks…well today in the mirror I’m worth 5,,,sometimes 10. And not a day goes by that I don’t share with someone even a stranger that they are worth millions as well inside and out! Affirmation..Affirmation…Affirmation!
Thanks Dad,,,,you were worth far more than millions!
Shannon,
Thank you for sharing this. Your father taught you well!