As a business owner, building confidence is key to your success...
But if you're anything like most people, you probably struggle with accepting compliments. Yes, those little boosts of validation can do wonders for your self-esteem, but only if you actually let them in. Most of us say "thank you," yet dismiss the compliment before it even hits the surface.
Sound familiar? Maybe you question whether the person complimenting you even knows what they’re talking about, or worse - you accept the praise but follow it up with, "I could have done better." It's a sneaky way of avoiding compliments, and it’s not doing your confidence as a business owner any favours.
Why we struggle with compliments
As business owners, we’re constantly juggling tasks, solving problems, and aiming for better results. When someone gives us a compliment, our brains often deflect or downplay it. We move on to the next task on our to-do list, missing an opportunity to build our confidence through positive feedback.
I’ve struggled with this myself. When clients thank me at the end of a session, I often say, “Thank you, but you did the work!” While that’s true, it's also a sneaky form of deflection. It’s like I’m dodging the compliment instead of allowing it to sink in.
The goal isn’t to rely on compliments to build your self-worth as a business owner, but learning how to accept them is a powerful way to build confidence.
Two simple techniques to build confidence by accepting compliments
Here are two techniques you can use to embrace compliments and start building confidence as a business owner. Use them together for the best results!
Technique 1: How to respond to compliments like a pro
When someone gives you a compliment - whether it’s in person, via email, or on social media - say more than just "thank you." Avoid the urge to downplay it with something like, "Oh, this? I’ve had it for ages." Think of a compliment as a gift - it deserves a thoughtful response.
You can say something like, “That’s especially meaningful coming from you because...” or “I really appreciate you saying that; it made my day because...”
Feeling stuck? Create a few go-to phrases to help you accept compliments with grace and confidence, and then build from there. The more you practice, the easier it gets!
Technique 2: Keep a compliment Journal
This is a simple yet powerful exercise. Anytime you receive a compliment, write it down in a notebook dedicated to tracking positive feedback. Record the date, who gave you the compliment, and what they said.
At the end of each week, read through the compliments you’ve collected. How do they make you feel? If you find yourself resisting the positive feelings, ask yourself why. What’s stopping you from accepting these wonderful pieces of feedback?
Tracking compliments can help you pinpoint the areas where you're struggling to accept praise, which is a crucial step toward building confidence as a business owner.
Why accepting compliments is essential for business owners
As a business owner, your confidence plays a huge role in how you show up for your clients, employees, and projects. Accepting compliments might seem like a small thing, but it can have a big impact on your overall self-esteem and your ability to build confidence in your business.
I've seen these techniques work wonders for my clients. One client even realised that while she was diligently writing down compliments, she was avoiding feeling them and the act of writing them down had become part of her deflection. Our minds are crafty like that, finding ways to dodge positive reinforcement!
Final thoughts
Stop dodging compliments and start fishing for them! By learning how to fully embrace compliments, you can build the confidence you need to thrive as a business owner.
Your self-esteem will thank you - and so will your business.
Now go forth, fish for compliments, and let them fuel your confidence!
And if you'd like some support to build your confidence further, here's my calendar or send me an email.
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