Be a Friend to Yourself

Exploring the concept of showing yourself grace goes beyond simple self-care routines. It involves letting go of self-criticism and embracing self-acceptance, allowing room for growth and learning from mistakes.

I used to be my own worst critic, dissecting nearly everything about myself in pursuit of perfection. As I struggled to overcome this habit, my coach introduced me to the concept of self-grace, but initially I didn’t fully understand it. After spending weeks discussing this with her, it eventually clicked for me: self-grace is about treating yourself with the same compassion, kindness, and understanding you would effortlessly offer to a friend.

Whenever I notice my clients are too hard on themselves, I throw them a curveball and ask, “If one of your friends was in your shoes, how would you show up for them?” It’s a gentle nudge to remind them kindness starts with us and how we treat ourselves.

By practicing self-grace, you can cultivate self-compassion, resilience, and inner peace, leading to a healthier and more fulfilling life. Being a friend to yourself starts with:

• Accepting imperfections
• Being gentle with yourself when you make mistakes
• Forgiving yourself when things don’t go as planned
• Recognizing and nurturing your worth
• Positive self-talk and reframing negative thoughts
• Taking time to do things you enjoy

Even as leaders, it’s common to be self-critical and second-guess decisions. However, every mistake presents a chance to grow and learn. Instead of being so harsh on yourself, consider how you would support an employee who made a mistake. By adopting a compassionate and growth-oriented approach in the workplace, you can foster a culture of continuous improvement and resilience within your organization.

Remember, showing yourself grace is not a sign of weakness, but a powerful tool for personal and professional development.

Renee

Resilience Wins Coaching provides tailored career, leadership, and life coaching to help you overcome challenges and reach your goals. Invest in yourself today and experience the remarkable results coaching can bring to your personal and professional growth. Visit my website for more information about my services.