February can be the coolest and grayest month of the year. Many people automatically associate this with negative feelings or even depressive moods. At the same time, February is also known as the month of love - a time to remember the importance of love and compassion for others and oneself. Valentine's Day is a central point in this. However, it is not always just about charity, love for a partner, or family members. It is also about self-love. It is the ideal time to remind oneself that much depends on how much one likes oneself and how much good one does for oneself. This has nothing to do with selfishness; rather, taking time for oneself creates new energy and positivity.
This positive mood not only affects oneself but also our interactions with others and the work done. Negative self-assessment can weaken work performance and increase stress, while self-compassion - the loving and supportive treatment of oneself in professional challenges, personal shortcomings, and career setbacks - is a more powerful tool for career advancement.
Constant self-criticism (Inner critic), which one may not even be aware of, poses an obstacle to professional success. Self-love is often misinterpreted as selfish or narcissistic, and the inner critic, one's own inner voice, never rests and consumes more mental space than the voice that says what potential we really have. We must learn to increasingly defend ourselves against our own harsh judgments instead of constantly attacking ourselves. At the same time, we should be lenient with small "mistakes" that are mainly made out of habits or old behavior patterns.
If one succeeds in listening more to this positive and motivating voice, the inner coach, we look forward to life more positively. A certain lightness accompanies us, and this strengthens our own resilience. Only by cultivating the right attitude towards oneself will one also have the right attitude towards success. Neuroscientists have long discovered a direct connection between self-compassion, resilience, and success.
When one is at peace with oneself, regularly takes breaks to recharge, in short, takes care of oneself, this gives new strength and motivation. For example, if a demanding project is coming up, it is worthwhile to go into nature shortly beforehand and take a moment to recharge, or to exercise, simply do what is best for oneself. When work is resumed afterward, it becomes much easier and no longer seems overwhelming, but manageable. Positive emotions like kindness and compassion can be trained. By adopting these habits of treating oneself lovingly, we change the way the brain reacts to events.
If you are more loving towards yourself and accept your boundaries with compassion, you will have more empathy for others. Positive affirmation reduces stress and provides the necessary calm and clarity to overcome obstacles. This year, give not only love but also self-love!
