I recently picked up this book from the book store last week and it has become something that I think may change my life for the better. It’s been in print for 75 years and it wasn’t so much the title that got me, but the extremely practical and easy advice it offered. I love a great personal development book, and to have the opportunity to be the best me I can be is something that inspires me. Between reading and watching Super Soul Sunday (swoon!) each week, I know I can be who I am meant to be. 

I have the unfortunate habit of criticizing my children (and husband) more than I should. I focus on how they can improve and do better rather than focusing on what they are doing right and talking about that more. I know that part of motherhood is to steer them in the right direction, but I find that I talk to them more about what they are doing wrong than right. I don’t want to do that! I want to keep my complaints and criticisms to myself more and praise them way more than I condemn. I want to be their biggest cheerleader and make them feel like I think they are the most wonderful people in the world (which they are!) I know that they aren’t perfect and need direction, but I can also give them a lot more praise than they are getting. I want to understand them better and be the type of mom that accepts them for who they are and not who I want them to be. I want to nourish their self esteem and be a safe harbor for them. I’m going to do this by criticizing and condemning less, and (authentically praising more. 

This is something I am not always good at. I multitask and interrupt and talk about myself too much… (hello, blogger!) I also write about myself and take photos of myself and live a very inward facing life. Which is FINE, but in daily life it isn’t that interesting. I want to be the type of person people want to turn to when they want to talk and know that they are being listened to. I want to put my book or phone down when my children talk to me. I want my daily life to be less “I” and more “You.” Also, how many times did I say “I” above? Ha. 

It turns out, the world doesn’t just revolve around me, so having a sincere interest in what other people are doing and saying is something I want to work on, both at home and with friends, family, and co-workers. 

I am HORRIBLE at remembering people’s names. It literally goes in one ear and out the other. I often meet people several times before I remember their names, or worse, say “It’s once to meet you”, and they say, “We’ve already met.” OUCH. I think this shows a disinterest in people and is a major turnoff. Tell me, how did you feel the last time someone remembered your name or some small detail about yourself after a small get together? It feels awesome, right? I want to be the person that makes others feel this way. I want to make the effort to remember a name and details about them, because it makes people feel good. I want to make people feel good and cheer their day up in small ways, and remembering a name is the first step.