(This is an email from my non-annoying friends of Peter list. Care to join us? Subscribe here!) Happy Wednesday! Hopefully you’re warm and dry, unlike us today in NYC. Something happened to me the other day that really made me think, and I want to share it with you this morning.
I was being given a compliment by an older gentleman I’ve known for close to 25 years. He’s kind of a mentor to me, and although we only see each other occasionally, it’s always a treat for me when we do.
He’d heard about the work I was doing in workplace Neurodiversity from a colleague of his, and he told me thrilled the client was with the last speech I’d given.
I’ve never been very good with accepting compliments, primarily because I never have a high enough level of self-worth to believe I’m worthy of them. (I’m constantly working on it, I promise, but it’s an ongoing battle.) So as I usually do when I receive a compliment, I hemmed and hawed, and said something like, “thanks, but I’m not really doing anything that great, I’m just thankful that someone liked it,” or something similarly self-deprecating.
My friend looked me in the eyes and said, “Peter, I’m giving you flowers. It’s up to you whether you choose to water them or not.”
BOOM.
That was such a wake up call. There are people out there who think we’re doing AMAZING things every single day, yet for whatever reason, we refuse to see it. Imagine how much more powerful we could be if we internalized their compliments, if we realized we’re doing good things, if we acted on that? I’m not saying we need to become pompous or big-headed, but perhaps, just occasionally, we can listen to the good things about us and realize we’re not as bad as we think we are.
That’s my goal for 2024. Maybe it can be yours, as well.
Much love,
-Peter
PS: For 2024, I’m bringing back my Master the Media online course – massively discounted! Learn how to pitch any media and get the placements you WANT – Get yourself famous – No need to pay an agency to do it! Get it here!
PPS: Happy 25th anniversary today to the premier of The Sopranos!
