What have you done today to make you feel proud? [guest post]

What have you done today to make you feel proud? Whether or not you are a fan of Heather Small, these words make you think!

Times are tough at the moment on a lot of levels for a lot of people; the economy is still unreliable, customers are more demanding than ever, utilities and everyday costs continue to rise and Spring is ever elusive! Some of you will be thinking life is difficult enough without taking on any more challenges, but are you forgetting to notice the things that make you feel proud?

Alternatives to proud include satisfied, pleased or fulfilled - all key components of contentment and wellbeing. So feeling proud is essential to how you feel generally, how you perform in your role, and crucially, your levels of resilience.

However, we don't often associate these words with our job or work role. Think for a minute; when was the last time you noticed feeling satisfied, pleased or fulfilled by something you did at work?

Whatever makes you satisfied, pleased or fulfilled will be personal to you; you can't justify it or judge it by someone else's standards (you don't even have to say it out loud!).

Personal resilience is important in times of change and uncertainty, and you can really boost yours by noticing the everyday things that make you feel satisfied, pleased or fulfilled, however fleeting.

So at the end of today ask yourself "What have I done today to make me feel proud?" I am sure you will surprise yourself.

One last point - singing is optional!

Sam Patterson
developing people to change organisations

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