When I was growing up my dad received a birthday gift from a family friend. It was a box that said “Unappreciated? Underrated? Underestimated? Take A Bow!” When you opened up the box, you pressed a button. A flood of applause, screams of more, encore, take a bow and bravo filled the room.

For the last 20 years, whenever I went home, I asked my dad if I could take the box. He would say no! Finally, when they moved he let me have his birthday present. I unabashedly admit that from time to time I go to that box, push the button and take in all the applause. How many of us readily acknowledge praise from others and most of all, from ourselves? We tend to get too embarrassed and self-conscious to accept the praise.

By accepting praise and applause it helps us:

• Be nicer to ourselves
• Get motivated to do what we want
• Feel damn good and special!

Don’t you deserve some applause? Of course you do! Have a great rest of the week and take a bow!

About the Author: Howard Miller has been training, consulting and coaching for over 15 years. In his extensive work with corporate and individual clients, he brings about in people the ability to supply capability for action. Howard firmly believes that if people were more accountable to themselves, they would have more self-respect, which ultimately leads to a better world. Howard Miller is founder of Fulcrum Coaching at www.fulcrumlifecoaching.com.

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