Selling Myself Short
I have this really terrible habit of selling myself short.
Whether someone is complimenting my beautiful new headshots, or congratulating me on another successful performance of the Wicked girl scout workshop I’m involved in, I can’t seem to be okay with giving myself the credit I deserve.
“Oh, thanks. It was really all the photographer’s great work with lighting and color and…”
“Thanks, it’s so much fun to perform on a Broadway stage, but you know it’s just a workshop, not really that big of a deal…”
I’m not sure if it stems from the actorly desire to avoid appearing unjustifiably conceited, or if it’s fallout from my ambitious personality that can never be satisfied with its current accomplishments. But either way, it has to stop.
If I’m not my own fan, how can I expect anyone else to be? But on the other hand, how do I go about being my own fan without being so irritating that me, myself and I are my only three fans? And how do I get to an emotional place of being proud of what I’ve done, instead of focusing on what I haven’t yet accomplished?
I don’t think I’m alone on this, but I’d love to see how others feel, so I created a fun little poll. Vote, people, vote! 🙂
I don’t have the answers on this one, guys. For those of you who think you’ve struck a great balance, I want to know — how do you straddle the line between being your own fiercely obnoxious #1 fangirl and being a healthy, well-adjusted supporter of your own work and achievements? And how did you get to a place where you could be proud of yourself without incessantly analyzing how much farther along you could be?
The Green Room 
To those who voted that you sell yourself short, how do you do this and to whom?
I feel like I do this all the time! I’m trying VERY HARD to fight against this because it’s not the way to make yourself seem more appealing. In fact, it makes us look as if we are not confident in ourselves and not proud of our work. I need to just learn to say “Thank You!” and smile instead of trying to deflect the compliment.
So glad I’m not alone in this…but let’s make a pact to remind each other not to do this anymore, okie dokie?! 🙂
My mom taught me to simply accept a compliment by saying “thank you”; that trying to argue with the person giving it is insulting to them. But I think it depends on what kind of relationship you have with them! But in any case, if you don’t believe in yourself 100% than who will? Enjoy the positive energy- it can be so rare in the industry. But if you feel uncomfortable, give credit where it is due and then change the conversation!
Yep, you’re so right. Have been working on accepting with a “thank you” lately! 🙂