Say Something Nice Day

June 1st was “Say Something Nice Day.” Say Something Nice Day began in Charleston, South Carolina, as a day to be kind to the special people in our lives. It is a wonderful sentiment, and I am a firm believer in being kind to everyone as often as possible.

This week, to celebrate Say Something Nice Day, let’s start building the habit of sharing that kindness with the most important person in your life  - Yourself!

Remember, you are the smartest person you know, and you believe everything you say. We all have a constant stream of inner dialogue going through our minds, and too often that self-talk we experience is critical and can even be downright mean sometimes. That negative self talk can cause real damage to our self-esteem and our sense of confidence and well being. You are what you say you are, and if you are constantly hearing criticism, you will start to believe it - even if it isn’t deserved.

You can turn it around by taking a few moments each day to tell yourself some nice things. You’ll have to be mindful of it at first.but soon being nice to yourself will become an easy habit. You will even find that your habit of being nice will spread into your encounters with others.

Challenge yourself this week to find ways to compliment you. At some point during your morning routine, stop for a moment and look at yourself in the mirror. Take three deep breaths and give yourself your full attention. Then give yourself a compliment out loud, looking directly at yourself. It may feel silly at first - do it anyway. You will amplify the benefit of your compliment by saying it out loud, since you get to think it, hear it, feel it, and think it again, all at once.

1. Acknowledge an accomplishment.

Think of something you've accomplished lately and remark on it, particularly if it's something you know you are proud of or if you think it's been largely overlooked.

"You completed that big project last week, and it was a success!" or "You worked really hard and got all A's this semester, congrats!"

2. Appreciate a personality trait.

Showing appreciation for something that makes you likable is a great way to lift your spirits.

"Thank you; you've been really attentive. I appreciate that," or "You're always ready to lend a hand, and that's a great quality to have."

3. Be a noticer.

A noticer is the kind of person who pick up on the smallest details. You can turn this into an avenue to kindness by paying attention to the little things you do.

"I've noticed how you always take time to restock the coffee for the coffeemaker. I just want you to know it's appreciated," or "I saw how you helped that guy carry his bag, and that was a really nice thing to do."

4. Compliment a style.

It can be a little awkward to compliment your own appearance, so try complimenting your style instead. Maybe you always wear colorful clothes, or strive to look polished. Maybe you always have funky jewelry or the best handbag collection ever. Finding something specific makes it easier and more personal.

"You always have the best shoes!" or "I love the colors in your necklace. You look so put together.”

5. Compliment a feature.

Finding a specific feature can mean more than a general "You're handsome" or "You're pretty." Focus on something that stands out.

"Your hair looks great like that," or "Your smile is contagious!"

6. Appreciate your existence.

It sounds a little weird, but the truth is, sometimes we just need to know that someone's glad we're around, even if that someone is us. We've all been there, and there's something reassuring about hearing that you're wanted.

"I just want you to know, you are a great friend," or "You're such a hard worker. It is great to be on your team.”

The Role of Hypnosis

Having an inner dialogue is healthy and normal. Unfortunately, we are all too often giving ourselves negative thoughts that break down our confidence and lead to negative emotions, fears, and self-defeating behaviors. By becoming aware of it, replacing it with positive thoughts, and learning to manage it, you will enjoy the benefits of a more positive, productive, and happier life.

Hypnosis is all about creating new habits quickly and easily. Once you learn to use your brain more efficiently using hypnosis you can create new patterns, new behaviors, and new dialogues without struggle. Hypnosis is like a shortcut from where you are now to where you want to be.∎