Self-praise is the act of acknowledging and appreciating your own achievements, strengths, and qualities. It is not the same as bragging or being arrogant, which are often seen as negative and off-putting. Self-praise is a positive and healthy way of boosting your self-esteem, confidence, and motivation.

Why is self-praise important? Because it helps you to recognize your value and worth, and to celebrate your successes. It also helps you to overcome self-doubt, criticism, and imposter syndrome, which are common challenges that many people face. Self-praise can also help you to set and achieve your goals, by reinforcing your belief in your abilities and potential.

How can you practice self-praise? Here are some tips:

• Keep a journal of your accomplishments, big and small. Write down what you did, how you did it, and how it made you feel. Review your journal regularly and reflect on your progress.
• Give yourself compliments. Look in the mirror and say something nice about yourself. Or write down some positive affirmations and repeat them to yourself throughout the day.
• Share your achievements with others. Tell a friend, family member, or colleague about something you are proud of. Or post it on social media or a blog. You will likely receive some positive feedback and support from others, which will boost your self-praise even more.
• Reward yourself. Treat yourself to something you enjoy or something that makes you happy. It could be a movie, a book, a meal, a massage, or anything else that you like. You deserve it!

Self-praise is not selfish or egotistical. It is a powerful tool for personal growth and happiness. By practicing self-praise regularly, you will be able to improve your self-image, confidence, and motivation, and to achieve your goals more easily.

Some people may find it hard to practice self-praise, especially if they have been taught to be humble, modest, or self-critical. If you are one of them, here are some ways to overcome the barriers to self-praise:

• Challenge your negative thoughts. Whenever you catch yourself thinking or saying something negative about yourself, stop and replace it with something positive. For example, instead of saying “I’m not good enough”, say “I’m doing my best”.
• Accept compliments graciously. When someone praises you, don’t dismiss it or downplay it. Say “thank you” and smile. Don’t be afraid to agree with them or to add something more. For example, if someone says “You did a great job on that project”, you can say “Thank you, I worked really hard on it”.
• Seek feedback constructively. Ask for honest and specific feedback from people you trust and respect. Listen to their opinions and suggestions, and use them to improve yourself. Don’t take criticism personally or defensively. Instead, see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Self-praise is not a sign of weakness or insecurity. It is a sign of strength and confidence. By practicing self-praise regularly, you will be able to appreciate yourself more, and to inspire others to do the same.