How to accept praise graciously
From ArticleWorld
To Accept Praise Graciously is a positive sign of self acceptance and comes with being satisfied with your own performance. Being satisfied does not imply that you are not inclined to improve your performance but rather that you are satisfied with yourself as an individual and your level of self esteem. But when you deny a compliment or downplay your own accomplishments, the message that you send others is that you are not worthy of their praise. Here are a few tips on how to accept praise graciously.
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A few thumb rules
- Don’t shy away. Look the person, who gives the compliment, in the eye and say ‘thank you’. Let them know that you appreciate their praise and let yourself also realize that you are worthy of the praise. This will help you feel good about your accomplishments.
- If the compliment is about your taste in clothes and shoes, don’t belittle the compliment by saying something derogatory about the thing that they have praised, it would be the height of rudeness.
- If the praise is about your work then use the praise as a stepping stone by asking the person how you could make further improvements.
- Then again, you can return the compliment by telling them that you have also admired their work (be sincere) and ask their opinions about other issues.
- Finally, remember that only if you are able to accept praise from others, can you help others with your own praise. Giving and receiving genuine, honest and specific praise makes people like and respect you much more.
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Do’s
- Remember, the ability to gracefully accept praise and appreciation is a sign of maturity.
- Once you learn to receive compliments with poise then also teach yourself to give compliments where they are due.
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Don’ts
- Don’t rush to deny the truth of the words spoken in your praise because you think that they are highly exaggerated. This will only make the person giving the compliment uncomfortable and embarrassed
- Don’t be flippant in accepting the compliment, believe in yourself and hence in the genuineness of the compliment.