“celebrate me?!”

It’s a crazy time in your life, isn’t it? Well, take heart, this is all for your good.

Do you ever find yourself in situations where you just want someone to pat you on the back? It’s okay if you do. Now, I don’t mean all the time, but there are those days when you’ve done something downright spectacular and you want somebody … anybody to notice it, right?

Well, I hate to break it to you … but that “someone” you seek, may not utter a mumbling word about that masterpiece you just created.

Can we be real? I need to give this to you straight.

Ok, then … here’s the deal. I know for a fact that too many of you reading this spend TOO MUCH time looking for someone to pat you on the back; to validate what you are doing; or to acknowledge the greatness that you believe you possess. The honest truth is, that you need to get over that nonsense and learn how to celebrate yourself. I hate to break it to you, but those “someones” that you think should be applauding you, are the same “someones” that, if given too much information about what you are doing will begin to question you and how you are going to get “it” done.

Accomplished visionary and entrepreneur John Whaley of My Biz Bridge has this to say about waiting on the opinions of others to be positive reinforcement, “success can only come when there’s acceptance within yourself, acceptance [or desired acceptance] by others can be a distraction.”

Don’t be hurt, its human nature. It’s human nature to fear the unknown, and if you are someone who has something major on the inside of you — you have got to rid yourself of the need for other people to “get it.” They may not … so, now what?

Now, there’s nothing wrong with desiring the OCCASIONAL pat on the back — as mentioned earlier — but you will prove yourself unproductive to continually seek the praise of others.

So … guess what?! You have to learn how to celebrate yourself … encourage yourself, even. It’s high time for you to stop looking for the approval, acceptance, and acknowledgement of others in order for YOU to progress in your passion, vision or dream. (Say that 2 more times and commit it to your mental rolodex).

What you are about to do, or are doing, may not make sense.  However, there was a time when the following didn’t either:
-Traffic Lights
-Electricity
-Peanut Butter
-Computer Chips
-Assembly Lines
… do you get the picture?

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, stop looking for them to “get it.”  Just because they don’t get it doesn’t negate the fact that you are supposed to do it.  The reality is that sometimes, you may have to celebrate yourself.

As such is the case, get up off of your duff, run to the nearest mirror, smile pretty and give yourself a hand-clap of praise!

5 second Caveat:
Shake Hands Firmly
Nothing is worse than a weak handshake, especially when it comes to making business connections.  Although the archrival of my alma mater, I have heard that the Aggies have professors who devote time and energy to teaching the art of a strong handshake.  My good friend, Founder of Stage Presence Performing Arts Studio, and Certified Etiquette Consultant Andrea J. Barefield gives the following advice regarding the perfect handshake, “a good handshake creates a memory…and a connection.” So, make yourself memorable: When you shake someone’s hand, grasp their hand FIRMLY, palm to palm and shake it. Don’t shake the tip of it, don’t shake it like they’re diseased, shake it and look the person square in the eye and greet them with sincerity and confidence.

Stephanie D. McKenzie is a devout marketer, encourager and overall communications professional. Since 2002, she has been agency principal of Houston’s only full-service, award-winning Urban marketing agency, exclamation points. The McKenzie Group is a coaching and consulting firm. You may contact "Coach Stephanie" directly at sdm@expointsonline.com.

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