Hello! 

Welcome to another issue of Appreciation in Action.  I hope you and those around you are doing well and enjoying the heat.  In the midst of this hot weather, there is much for us to appreciate – air conditioning, fans, cool drinks, shade, and much more.  Stay cool and keep looking for things to appreciate…there are always so many.  I am honored and grateful to have a chance to connect with you this way each month.  Thanks for being on this list!

With Appreciation,

How to Receive Compliments

Last month we looked at how to give great compliments.  This month, it’s time for us to look at the more important and often more challenging aspect of compliments – receiving them.  How comfortable are you when someone compliments you?  If you’re like many people I talk to and most of my clients, you may get uncomfortable when someone acknowledges you.  While I totally understand and can relate to this phenomenon, I find it strange and ironic that many of us are walking around each day wanting people to acknowledge and appreciate us, and then when they finally do, we get weird and awkward about it.  Ah, the irony of being human!  If we want to fully utilize the power of appreciation, effectively acknowledge others, and live a life filled with gratitude and fulfillment, being able to successfully accept compliments is really important.

Here are some things that you can do to more effectively and comfortably receive compliments:

1) Breath.  Make sure you take a nice deep breath when someone acknowledges you.  This will allow you to slow down, be present, and actually hear and feel the appreciation being expressed to you.  Taking a breath will also allow you to stay calm if you find yourself getting nervous or uncomfortable. 

2) Believe them.  Many of us cynically think that whenever someone acknowledges us they are either lying or they want something from us in return – a favor, money, or just a reciprocal compliment.  If it is an authentic compliment, they are telling the truth and they only want us to receive it, like a gift.  We don’t owe them anything and they are not manipulating us.  It is up to us to be open and to believe that they are telling us the truth and complimenting us in a genuine way.  The more open and trusting we are, the more likely people will give us authentic compliments.

3) Tell your “Gremlin” to shut up.  All of us have a “Gremlin” in our minds – a little monster, like those nasty green guys from the movie from the 1980’s, that tells us mean and negative things all day long.  Our Gremlin will often speak very loudly when someone compliments us, saying things like, “They don’t really mean it,” or, “You aren’t really that good at that,” or “You better make a joke about yourself right now or else people will think you’re arrogant,” and other critical things like that.  When someone compliments you, tell your Gremlin to “shut up” so that you can actually hear and receive the gift of appreciation that is being given to you.

4) Don’t argue, interrupt, or downplay.  Often when someone acknowledges us, we’ll literally argue with them, cut them off, or downplay what they are acknowledging about us.  DON’T DO THAT!  It’s rude, disrespectful to both you and the other person involved, and it negates the appreciation that they are giving to you.  Most of these arguments, interruptions, and/or downplays are coming from our Gremlin anyway.  If we tell our Gremlin to shut up and allow our real self to listen to and accept the acknowledgment, we will be fine.

5) Say “thank you” and let it in.  When someone acknowledges you, just say “thank you” and let it in.  There is really nothing else that you have to do or say.  Mostly, whatever we say after “thank you” is insincere anyway, so just practice saying thanks and truly letting it in.  Remember, an acknowledgment is a gift that another person is generously giving to you – your job is to accept it with gratitude.

Practice!  Pay attention today and all week to any compliments that people give to you.  When you receive a compliment, practice the steps above.  The more you practice these steps, the easier they will get.  Sometimes noticing when you slip up is a great opportunity for growth and learning.  If you find yourself doing the opposite of any of these steps, see if you can catch yourself, forgive yourself, and remind yourself (with kindness) to let in the compliment.  Have fun!

Check out my updated Success Resources Section:

I have recently updated the success resources section of my website with additional books, authors, workshops, coaches, links, audio archives, and more.  For great ideas and suggestions on a variety of resources designed to enhance your personal growth and development, click on the link below:

http://www.mike-robbins.com/success-resources.htm

The Secret – A life-altering DVD
This is the third month in a row I am including this announcement in my e-zine.  That should give you an idea about how valuable I think this film is! My wife Michelle and I recently watched an incredible documentary film on DVD called The Secret.  This film is all about the Universal Law of Attraction and it is very powerful.  It is a feature length documentary filled with insightful, wise, and inspiring messages, insights, and teachers.  Neale Donald Walsh, John Gray, Jack Canfield, Mike Dooley, Rev. Michael Beckwith, Esther Hicks, and many other extraordinary people are interviewed.  If you want to be inspired and to learn how to manifest anything you want into your life, you will want to see this movie.  For info about the film and to purchase  the DVD or watch it online, click on the link below:
http://www.thesecret.tv

About Mike Robbins
Mike Robbins is an expert in success, teamwork, and the power of appreciation.  As a former professional baseball player and Internet advertising sales executive, as well as a life-long student of personal development, Mike brings a varied and impressive background to the clients with whom he works.  Through his keynotes, seminars, writing, and one-on-one coaching, Mike empowers individuals, teams, and organizations to be more productive, appreciative, and successful.  He is the author of the popular audio program, The Power of Appreciation, and the forthcoming book, Focus on the Good Stuff (Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2007).  Feel free to contact Mike for more information about his speaking and coaching programs, as well as his products.

You may forward your copy of this e-zine to anyone you think might enjoy it. Please keep the broadcast intact, including contact and copyright information.  Thanks!

“My daddy and I are grateful that you read his e-zine again this month.  Thanks!”

~ Samantha Benoit Robbins

For more photos of Samantha click here!

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Mike Robbins
1735 Glazier Drive
Concord, CA 94521
Phone: (925) 825-2319