I’m Not Very Good At…BUT on reflection...I'm good at...

How many times have you brushed off a compliment or downplayed something you did well? “Oh, it was nothing,” or “I’m not that good at it really.” Sound familiar?   I remember it well and I'm sure we’ve all been there. That moment when someone acknowledges something we’ve done well, whether it’s handling a tricky conversation at work, showing up for someone in a crisis, or even just bringing positive energy into a room, and instead of accepting it with pride, we retreat into self-doubt.   

After 36 years in social care, I’ve finally started to embrace that I am good at what I do. People tell me I’m good with people, and they’re right. I’ve spent decades supporting others, building trust, and creating safe spaces for people to grow and heal. It’s taken me a long time, but now, I let those words in. I’m not rubbish at it. I’m skilled, I’m experienced, I care deeply and I’m good with people.... there...I said it. 😁  That’s not showing off, it’s self-awareness surfacing... I learnt and really acknowledged that during a training session at The Coaching Academy ... from  (THANK YOU Pam Lidford 😊) said if it's fact, if people tell you, if it's true then it's not bragging it's recognising your skills and strengths and being confident to talk about them.  

 Self-Care Starts With Self-Recognition   A huge part of self-care is acknowledging what we do well. It's about replacing those automatic negative thoughts with honest, balanced ones. You’re allowed to say, “I can improve on that,” and also say, “I’m really skilled at this.” Both can be true. Growth and competence go hand in hand.  

When we slip up (and we all do), self-compassion invites us to say:  “That didn’t go how I hoped, but. I’ll learn from it and keep going.”  Constantly rebuking ourselves doesn’t improve our performance, but kindness towards ourself might.   Try This: A One-Minute Challenge  Take just one minute right now and finish this sentence:  “I’m good at…”  What comes to mind? Is it listening, making people laugh, solving problems, ? Whatever it is, own it. That skill, that brilliance, deserves space in your day.

Let’s start a trail of recognition and celebration of brilliance. Let’s normalise and applaud saying:  “I’m good at...or You are good at"   Rewriting the Self-Talk Script  That voice in your head? The one that doubts, dismisses, or diminishes you? You can re-train it.

Start your day with this mirror moment:   Walk past the mirror, look yourself in the eye and say:  “Hi. I’m good at…”  Then head out the door with a spring in your step. You’re not making anything up. You’re just noticing what’s already there.   Let’s  share our strengths, not to compare, but to connect. We’re often better than we believe, and when we start saying it out loud, it becomes a little more real.   

So, what are you good at?  Go on...Join the conversation...  Start your day with “I can…” or “I’m good at…”   

Because you are!