Oh, the difficulty of receiving!
This photo is from 2014. I was speaking at a seminar organized by FEW (For Empowering Women) Japan and this was the panel discussion toward the end of the event.
After this, there was a raffle.
My name came up as a winner!
In my mind, as a speaker, it wasn’t appropriate for me to be a winner (not sure where I got that idea from…). So I said, “Oh, no. It’s okay. Please pick again.”
So they did.
And my name came up again…
This happened 5 times – and each time I refused to receive the prize!!!
I told this story at my recent 10-Year Business Anniversary Celebration because I see it as a great example of how many of us find it difficult to receive.
We’re taught from a young age not to be selfish and to think of others first.
Maybe deep inside we want to receive, but we’re worried about what others might think of us.
Receiving could be raffle prizes or gifts, praise (“Oh, no, it was nothing really”), compliments (“Oh, this is just a cheap dress I’ve had for years”), and time… for… ourselves…
But what happens when you refuse to receive?
You deprive the person giving the gift, praise, or compliment of the full joy of giving.
Or you keep giving your time, energy, and attention to your work, family, friends, and others without taking proper care of yourself with adequate rest, nutrition, exercise, and fun! Then you’re ultimately physically, mentally, and emotionally depleted and unable to perform at your best.
And have you considered what you’re teaching others – junior colleagues or your children, perhaps?
So, if what you’ve just read sounds like you, I invite you to do something different this week:
Practice receiving – take time for yourself (to sleep, eat, exercise, and have fun), accept gifts, praise, and compliments – so that you can perform at your best, feel fabulous, and be a great role model.
Let me know below how it goes!
Links For You
In this training (in English), you’ll discover
✔️ The secret to getting the results you really want (and it’s not hard work)
✔️ The big mistake that leads to stress and disappointment for most women
✔️ The #1 way to stop putting unnecessary pressure on yourself
✔️ 4 keys to automate ease in your work and life
Find out more here.