As I enjoyed a warm cup of coffee with a friend I hadn’t seen in ages, she inquired about my transition into a new career. After switching fields a few years ago, I’ve put in relentless effort to establish my reputation, and now I’m finally beginning to reap the rewards of my hard work. My friend was genuinely excited to hear about my recent promotion, wrapping me in a joyful hug. Yet, I found myself downplaying my achievements with the phrase, “Oh, it’s really no big deal,” and soon after, we shifted to other topics.
That moment has lingered in my mind for quite some time. Why couldn’t I fully embrace the success I’ve earned? Why was it so challenging to acknowledge my accomplishments and proudly declare to my friend, “Absolutely! Let’s celebrate! I am really proud of what I did, and I appreciate your recognition!”
I’ve poured countless hours into mastering my skills in this new career, often sacrificing time with my family and household tasks. I’ve fought hard to be acknowledged, learning the ins and outs of a competitive industry. And you know what? I’m really good at what I do—exceptionally good. I deserve to accept compliments from friends and colleagues because I’ve earned that right through sheer tenacity and perseverance.
Yet, despite my successes, I often find it hard to embrace praise. It’s as if I fear that admitting my accomplishments might come off as bragging. After all, nobody enjoys a humblebragger, right?
And I know I’m not alone in this struggle. Every day, I witness women deflecting compliments and downplaying their achievements. It seems we have an inherent tendency to minimize our successes, whether in our professional lives or as mothers.
Take, for instance, the mom who organizes a school event only to brush off the accolades with, “I had a lot of help.” Or the accomplished author who hesitates to promote her bestseller, attributing its success to her agency’s marketing efforts. Even the mother of well-behaved children might say, “Oh, you should have seen them earlier!”
Why do we do this? We are a remarkable group of women making significant strides every day, and we should take pride in our accomplishments. Despite the chaos of parenting or the challenges at work, we rise to the occasion time and again. Each morning, we get out of bed and tackle our responsibilities head-on.
So, when will we acknowledge that we are incredible at what we do? When will we allow ourselves to celebrate the fact that we’ve nurtured life and built successful careers? It’s time to stop apologizing for our success.
Let’s put an end to downplaying our hard work. The next time someone compliments you, own it. Say “thank you” and allow yourself to feel proud of your achievements. Share the effort you put in to reach your goals. Declare, “Yes, I did that!”
And if you encounter a fellow woman who minimizes her accomplishments, encourage her to recognize her own worth. Remind her that she has the right to feel proud of herself. By frequently affirming our greatness, we can start to internalize it. We will begin to accept our successes and command the respect we deserve.
Motherhood is no small feat. It demands endless energy and often goes unrecognized. It’s about raising kind, respectful children while juggling countless responsibilities. Likewise, being a successful professional means standing up to gender inequality and battling through adversity. We do this while managing busy schedules, sleep deprivation, and so much more.
We are remarkable and resilient, smashing barriers every day. When someone acknowledges our hard work, we’ve earned that recognition.
So, the next time someone praises your efforts, embrace it. Say “thank you” and own your accomplishments. Take a moment to appreciate the work that got you to where you are. And right now, stop and declare, “I am a badass”—because you are, and badasses never apologize for their worth.
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In summary, it’s crucial for women to recognize and celebrate their successes without downplaying them. We need to support each other in accepting compliments and embracing our achievements, whether in parenting or professional endeavors. By doing so, we empower ourselves and each other to truly own our incredible capabilities.