Welcome to Bliss for Business! If you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or career-driven individual, tune in on Wednesdays to join Dani on an adventure to learn how to bring your work life in harmony with the thirteen Bliss Habits.
When is the last time you were awed by something?
No, really. Take a moment to close your eyes and think back – when’s the last time you were truly and properly wowed?
Got it? Good.
Tough question time.
When’s the last time you were wowed by something you did, something you accomplished, something you achieved?
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I keep a running list on my desk of “stuff I’ve done this month”. Blog post? On the list. Rocking client session? On the list. Bliss for Business article? On the list. Exciting new collaboration? On the list.
Small marks with ink and pencil, day by day by day.
These things often feel mundane or insignificant as I add them to the list – but I do it anyway.
In fact, that’s exactly why I do it.
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We live and work and exist in nothing more than a series of mundane moments, strung together into days, weeks, months, years, a lifetime. Sometimes the ebb and flow is interrupted by the awe-inspiring acts of others, acts of nature, acts of spirit. It’s not always easy, but it’s acceptable to recognize the things that happen outside ourselves. But only outside.
But when it comes to wowing ourselves? There’s some sort of cultural taboo that says it’s self-congratulatory, egotistical, even, to recognize the things in ourselves that we wonder at in others.
We do amazing, wonderful, awe-inspiring things all the time. But we don’t give ourselves the credit. Instead, we let those moments slide, becoming more scraps of the mundane, more moments that pass us by. And rarely, if ever, do we stop to look back.
And that just won’t do.
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Every time you put yourself out there – whether it’s hanging out your shingle for the first time, going after a new position or client, approaching someone about a new project, or even trying to communicate something that’s important to you – that’s when this stuff matters. All of those missed opportunities to marvel at the amazing person you are, the successes and triumphs tucked away with the forgotten details of daily life, come to a head and manifest as icky things like a lack of confidence. An unwillingness to believe in yourself. The ability to foresee only missteps and bad outcomes.
You deserve so much better than that.
See, you are amazing. Awesome. Wonder-inducing. You might not see it yet, but please don’t doubt for a second that it’s true.
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I see too many businesses, too many careers, flailing. Not because they’re lacking a good idea, or a business plan, but because they’re lacking belief. Belief that whatever they have to offer has real value. And it’s incredibly difficult – nigh on impossible – to convince someone of a value that you don’t believe in yourself. Too often, it’s this very thing that keeps businesses from turning a profit, folks getting that dream job, or fledgling businesses getting off the ground.
It’s not that we don’t know how to sell – it’s that we don’t believe in what we’re selling.
But we can fix it. We have the technology.
It takes noticing, and practice, and (oh, yes) time, but just by noticing the amazing things you do, you can build up that reserve. Rock your value. Change the world if you want to.
All you have to do is wonder. To “see the miraculous and remarkable” in everything that you do. Acknowledge it. Celebrate it. Do a little happy dance, if only in your head. Revel in it.
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My request, my cry, my desire for you, my call to peaceful arms is this: if only for this week, take a few minutes a day to wonder at you. Ponder the chemistry and biology that keeps you upright and breathing. Make note of the grace with which you handle crappy situations. The ways you shine, each and every day.
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Hi! I’m Dani. I’m a writer, teacher, business coach, and signal-booster, and I’m on a mission to help you make your business more awesome, more successful, and more you. (With tea. Tea is always good.)
Join me for resources, wicked wisdom, and other good things at daninelson.com!
Rock your value… I LOVE that! It’s the baby steps that really matter. And all the big and small things that add up to a life. I’m one of those who is always amazed by the “small” every day things placed in between all the big things. I like to celebrate it all and try to. In terms of my fledgling creative business, I need to rock my small stuff more! ;o) Thank for this, Dani!
“all the big and small things that add up to a life”. <–Love this, Tracy! 🙂
This is so great. As a course creator and coach I struggle with this all the time. Even when people tell me the work I’m doing is important and making a difference, really helped them…that ol’ mind is insidious! Though lately there’s been some relaxation into a new self-worth, and reading your post confirms that. I love this running list of successes, no matter how big or small for self-championing.
Ah, yes, that insidious mind! 🙂 Glad to be of help, David!
Interesting post. 🙂 Thank you, Danielle and Kathy!
You’re so very welcome, Theresa!
Love this ‘accomplished’ list as an alternative to the ever-annoying ‘to-do’ list. I’m going to get this going right away. Too easy to focus on all that is left undone. Thanks for this!
You’re so welcome, Sarah! I know a couple of people who use the concept of a “ta da!” list instead of a “to do” list – the little things we do in a given day that add up to a lot. 🙂