✨ Disqualifying the Positive: Minimizing Achievements ✨

Many times, we have the tendency to disqualify the positive, downplaying our achievements and successes as if they aren’t enough. This thinking pattern can make us minimize our strengths and what we’ve accomplished, preventing us from enjoying our victories and feeling proud of our progress. If you’ve ever thought, "It’s no big deal," "It was just luck," or "I don’t deserve this recognition," you’ve probably fallen into this pattern.

What is Disqualifying the Positive? 🤔

Disqualifying the positive, or minimizing achievements, is a thinking pattern where we don’t give enough credit to our victories or qualities. When we disqualify our achievements, we are saying they’re not good enough or don’t deserve celebration, often comparing ourselves to others or setting unrealistic standards for ourselves.

For example, if you achieve a good result in a task, you might think it’s irrelevant because "it could have been better" or "anyone could have done it." This thought prevents us from enjoying what we’ve achieved and leaves us stuck in constant dissatisfaction.

Common Cases of Disqualifying the Positive 🚫

1. In the Professional Field 💼:
   If you successfully complete a project or receive recognition for your work, you might downplay it by thinking, "It’s no big deal, others could have done it better." This pattern makes us minimize our efforts and not celebrate our successes.

2. In Personal Relationships 💕:
   Sometimes, when receiving a compliment or expression of affection, we might think, "I don’t deserve this" or "They’re just saying it to be nice." By disqualifying these expressions of appreciation, we close ourselves off to receiving the love and recognition others offer.

3. In Personal Health 🏋️‍♂️:
   If you’ve managed to stick to an exercise routine for a month, you might think, "It’s not much, I should have done more." This prevents us from recognizing the effort and discipline we’ve invested in our well-being.

4. In Personal Growth 🌱:
   Often, when working on our self-esteem or personal improvement, we minimize progress, thinking "I still have so much to improve" and disqualifying the positive steps we’ve already taken.

Why is Disqualifying the Positive Harmful? 🚨

Minimizing our achievements creates a distorted view of our life and abilities. This pattern can lead to feelings of never being good enough, which generates frustration, low self-esteem, and a lack of motivation. 😔

By downplaying our successes, we also ignore the importance of celebrating small progress, which is essential for growth. This behavior can trap us in a cycle of dissatisfaction, where we are never content with what we do, no matter how much we achieve.

How to Recognize and Value Our Strengths 💡

1. Make a List of Your Achievements 📝:
   Write down everything you’ve achieved, big or small. From completing a project to improving your health or setting healthier boundaries. Seeing your achievements on paper will help you visualize everything you’ve accomplished and give it the value it deserves.

2. Celebrate Small Progress 🎉:
   Acknowledge and celebrate each step you take, even the small ones. The key to boosting self-esteem and confidence is learning to value every step, not just the big milestones. If you’ve stuck to your exercise routine, congratulate yourself! 🏆

3. Challenge Negative Thoughts 🧠:
   Each time you minimize an achievement, challenge that thought. Ask yourself, "Why am I downplaying this? Is it really insignificant?" Practice thinking more balanced and realistically about your successes.

4. Practice Positive Affirmations 💬:
   Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Instead of thinking, "I’m not that good," try, "I’ve worked hard to get here and deserve to celebrate my achievements." Self-affirmation strengthens our confidence and self-esteem.

5. Learn to Receive Compliments 🙏:
   Instead of rejecting compliments, accept them with gratitude. By recognizing your achievements and allowing yourself to be praised for them, you reinforce your self-esteem and open yourself to a more positive view of yourself.

Final Considerations 🌟

Disqualifying the positive only keeps us from experiencing satisfaction and personal growth. By learning to recognize and value our strengths, we can improve our self-esteem, increase motivation, and enjoy the growth process. Every achievement, no matter how small, is a step forward. Celebrate your victories and remember that you deserve to enjoy everything you’ve accomplished.

With love,
Dr. Arturo José Sánchez Hernández
Your friend in promoting health 💙
Discover more of my works at: https://books2read.com/asanchez