
Ever had a time in your life when those closest to you disapproved of your behavior? It is very uncomfortable is it not? In a moment, peace of mind can vanish in a puff of smoke and you crave approval more than anything else. This time in the wilderness seems to last forever and when it is finally over the newly earned approval of your peers feels just great.
This wanting approval can get out of control though. We can easily extend this need for approval to all people we come into contact with in our life. When we want and need approval we encounter this lack of approval everywhere we go; the waiter does not smile when he takes your order; the checkout operator hardly looks at you; and your boss only compliments your work when the moon is full and the first Tuesday of the month precedes a wet weekend!
All of a sudden life is a struggle, a constant battle to get other people, all people, to like you and to approve of you. And the more you want this approval the less you seem to get it.
What is the solution? The answer is to not be concerned about what other people think of you. This can be achieved by approving of yourself completely despite your past indiscretions, failings and errors of judgment. When you totally accept and approve of yourself you will have little interest in how other people view you. If they like you *Great*, if they do not, that is their choice and their loss.
There are many ways to boost your opinion of yourself. I recently discovered that just letting go of wanting your own approval works really well. Simply ask yourself the following question:
Could I let go of wanting my own approval?
Sounds too simple to work. I know! It works if and only if you ask the question with your attention on your feeling response not on the answer that pops into your head. Our goal is to let go of the limiting feelings, this is not a mental exercise.
Spend twenty minutes concentrating on this question. Ask the question again and again, and each time just notice your feeling response before asking the question again. After twenty minutes you can expect to feel lighter and more at peace with yourself. Your breathing may also change and it is likely to become deeper and more relaxed.
The effect of letting go of wanting your approval is that you release the limitations that stop you from approving of yourself and you are left with what you wanted - your own approval.
You can also ask yourself the question, could I let go of wanting my own approval?... anytime you need to communicate at your best to make a good impression. Just say it softly to yourself under your breath or quietly inside your head. Ask the question, notice your feeling response, and repeat the process again and again.
By approving completely of yourself you will not be concerned with winning the approval of your listeners and ironically people will tend to reflect this approval back to you since they will take you at your own value.
Now, go and prove this for yourself!
Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert and published author. Subscribe FREE to his upbeat newsletter and get a FREE e-book, which reveals secret strategies for supercharging your communication skills. To join send an email to: AbolishShynessToday-subscribe@topica.com< br> http://www.topica.com/lists/AbolishShynessTo day/
AP - President-elect Barack Obama warned of dire and long-lasting consequences if Congress doesn't pump unprecedented dollars into the national economy, making an urgent pitch Thursday for his mammoth spending proposal in his first speech since the election.
AP - President-elect Barack Obama's proposed tax cuts ran into opposition Thursday from senators in his own party who said they wouldn't do much to stimulate the economy or create jobs.
AP - The U.N. halted deliveries to the Gaza Strip on Thursday after gunfire from an Israeli tank killed an aid truck driver, and the threat of a wider conflict arose when militants in Lebanon fired rockets into northern Israel.
AP - Retailers reported dismal sales figures for December on Thursday as even Wal-Mart Stores Inc., one of the bright spots in the industry, finally buckled under the pressures of the deteriorating economy.
AP - Congress has officially declared Barack Obama the next President of the United States after tallying electoral college votes in a centuries old tradition.
AP - The number of people continuing to seek unemployment benefits has risen sharply, according to government data released Thursday, indicating that laid-off workers are having a harder time finding new jobs as the recession enters its second year.
AP - Prosecutors said Thursday that investigators found 100 signed checks worth $173 million in Bernard Madoff's office desk that he was ready to send out to his closest family and friends at the time of his arrest last month.
AP - Microsoft Corp.'s next version of the Windows operating system is almost ready for prime time. That's one message Chief Executive Steve Ballmer delivered on the eve of the official opening of the International Consumer Electronics Show.
AP - John Travolta and family were expected to host a private memorial service Thursday for their son, 16-year-old Jett Travolta, at their gated-community home in central Florida.
AP - John Smoltz has reached preliminary agreement on a contract with the Boston Red Sox, who also agreed Thursday to a one-year contract with outfielder Rocco Baldelli.
Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama sought to rally support on Thursday for a massive fiscal stimulus package by warning that the United States could remain mired in recession for years without bold action.
Reuters - Palestinians faced even grimmer conditions in the Gaza Strip on Thursday after a U.N. aid agency halted work, saying its staff were at risk from Israeli forces fighting Hamas militants, after two drivers were killed.
Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc and other top U.S. retailers delivered disappointing December same-store sales and profit warnings on Thursday, sparking fresh recession concerns that hit stock and currency markets.
Reuters - A search of accused swindler Bernard Madoff's office desk revealed he had signed checks totaling more than $173 million ready to be sent, U.S. prosecutors said in court papers on Thursday asking a judge to jail him.
Reuters - Russia said on Thursday it would restore gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine once international monitors were in place, but Moscow and Kiev remained at odds over the terms of any supervision.
Reuters - Economic weakness in Europe worsened and disappointing sales from Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, knocked financial markets lower on Thursday, strengthening the case for government stimulus and new rate cuts.
Reuters - India's Satyam Computer faces a crisis of "unimaginable proportions," its interim chief executive said a day after the chairman revealed profits had been falsely inflated for years.
AFP - Rockets fired into northern Israel from Lebanon on Thursday sparked a new military alert as Israeli jets carried out mass strikes on smuggling tunnels in Gaza.
AFP - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday said Moscow will resume gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine after it has struck an agreement with Ukraine on the transit, Russian news agencies reported.
Having good communication skills in the workplace is important. This article will... Read More
The Luck Factor rips apart the notion that luck is something that... Read More
If you want to learn how to be a good conversationalist, a... Read More
The key to a successful life lies in following your passions. When... Read More
Do you remember your younger years when you and your friends played... Read More
If you have a dream, follow it. No matter how wild, outrageous,... Read More
There are many systems, psychology analyzes and personality typing in order to... Read More
Body language is fascinating. People rarely recognize how much information they give... Read More
You are what you think;The experts say we barely use 10% of... Read More
Character is that which defines us; it's what people will remember about... Read More
"Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by... Read More
When my wife and I were searching for a new Las Vegas... Read More
Seth, the very high level, spiritual teacher and guide channeled many years... Read More
I hope this article finds you safe and well. I'm sure you... Read More
You are a money magnet. Money is flowing to you twenty four... Read More
And the real sad part is that the people involved give in... Read More
Visualization is an essential tool for attracting your dreams and desires. To... Read More
There Are No Secrets To SuccessAs you strive toward accomplishing your goals... Read More
In the first parts of this series, we introduced the concept of... Read More
We live in a world filled with beliefs, values, and negative paradigms.... Read More
Lady Twilight felt angry. It was one of those days when she... Read More
You have heard it time and again. Lottery Winners lose it all... Read More
Life consists of lessons. Living is continual learning. Therefore, if you take... Read More
A Seventeenth Century Samurai maxim states:"A man who has attained mastery of... Read More
"You can create what you want in life; first you have to... Read More
Recently, at a public function where I was the Toastmaster, an elegant... Read More
It's a common scenario. Although the specific circumstances may differ, the challenge... Read More
Imagine that you could boost your confidence, courage, and compassion by 100%... Read More
Ever had a time in your life when those closest to you... Read More
One of the first and foremost things to do to change your... Read More
Not everyone is programmed to be a successful businessperson, many people make... Read More
Do you know anyone who always seems to have bad luck? Nothing... Read More
We are all part of the universe. The universe is a living,... Read More
I took a look at the top 500 hits on the Internet... Read More
Hello, Moon.There you hang, a thin white sliver that cradles a large... Read More
Gnothi seauton,, said Socrates. "Know thyself."These words remain as true today as... Read More
The Law of Attraction responds to whatever vibration you are sending out... Read More
Over half of all adults identify themselves as shy. Shyness can get... Read More
Sometimes many of us feel like we've made deposits into society, yet... Read More
Good Morning! It's the Island outlaw here again. You know after my... Read More
Once in a while a book comes along that can change your... Read More
We human beings naturally have two kinds of state that exist in... Read More
Christmas is all around us, and many people are making up wish... Read More
If you are looking for a way to improve your social skills,... Read More
I've written this article specifically for individuals contemplating change with the idea... Read More
Communication, which occupies approximately 70% of our waking hours, is what many... Read More
"Within you is the power to change your life"Lately I've been doing... Read More
Here are over 100 ideas to help you keep monogamy hot!1. Find... Read More
There is an inherent problem with the approach most people take to... Read More
Tornadic weather threatens southeastern Colorado and life on the plains takes a... Read More
In my private practice for the past 15 years I have discovered... Read More
This year (2004), I've completed over 64 seminars. And one of the... Read More
Over the past several weeks I've received dozens of email solicitations for... Read More
Do you know that many people feel they cannot achieve what they... Read More
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you never... Read More
For many years I had a good life. My illness was reasonably... Read More
What do you do when circumstances seem out of control? What's the... Read More
Although you know better, you do not apply all that you have... Read More
Flow is the quality of ease that can be integrated into a... Read More
The power of the mind draws certain events, circumstances and people into... Read More
While engaging in conversations with friends and co-workers, how often do you... Read More
Do you ever find yourself in situations where you feel overwhelmed by... Read More
Confidence without competence is a dangerous combination. Make it easy for yourself... Read More
This is the third of seven articles in our continuing series on... Read More
What do people want most in the world? What is the most... Read More
Making a fabulous impression on people opens doors for your business, personal,... Read More
As you already know, the Angels are here; ready to assist us... Read More
"Your face is my map to your life." - Houdini, magicianWe are... Read More
There is an art and a science to prosperity. The art is... Read More
Why Must We Find Truth:Finding truth can be a very difficult task.... Read More
"There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at... Read More
My mother taught me how to teach others about the power of... Read More
If it were easy, everyone would do IT; everyone would have IT.That... Read More
A man is captive within himself. He dwells in a freedom which... Read More
If you've ever thought about wanting to increase your physical energy and... Read More
It was a long walk but someone had to do it. And... Read More
What matters most in life to you? Money, Time, Friends, Family? All... Read More
(Excerpts From The Book) Successercising "The Science Of Success Achievement Course" The... Read More
What was your energy level like today? Did you wake up this... Read More
Have you ever bought a new car and then afterwards you started... Read More
I first heard about this when I read The New Psycho-cybernetics by... Read More
Not having much luck in love lately? Relationship falling apart? Maybe its... Read More
In studying wealth, we learn the power of using our mind to... Read More
If we all got everything we wanted, most of us would have... Read More
Underearning is a process of not really making enough to support oneself... Read More
Do you know anyone that everyone seems to be drawn to? You... Read More
For any inner-directed individual, much of life feels like you are a... Read More
Have you been in that "black hole?" That is the place that... Read More
Body language is fascinating. People rarely recognize how much information they give... Read More
"Within you is the power to change your life"Lately I've been doing... Read More
"Your good name and your reputation are EVERYTHING! ? Protect them at... Read More
Congratulations! You are the world's expert.That's right: you are the world's expert...on... Read More
The secret of attraction is the unconscious hope for healing and understanding.... Read More
Life consists of lessons. Living is continual learning. Therefore, if you take... Read More
Attraction Attraction |