“I can live for two months on a good compliment.”- Mark Twain
Receiving a compliment tends to make a lot of people feel nervous or awkward. Instead of shying away or feeling uncomfortable, learn to accept a compliment with grace and poise.
When someone sees something in you worth acknowledging, acknowledge them in return. It’s a great opportunity to feel good about yourself. When you brush off a compliment, you’re belittling the beliefs and esteem of the person complimenting you. You’re receiving a compliment for a reason. Smile!
If you’re in the habit of naturally reacting to compliments by looking away or acting timid, remember that such reactions can make the person who is extending a compliment feel awkward and uncomfortable. One of the best and most simple ways to accept a compliment is to give a genuine smile and thank them. Take your time to appreciate what they’ve said and acknowledge it genuinely.
When you receive a compliment, don’t feel pressured to pay one in return or to quickly move on to a new subject. If you often find yourself anxious to move the focus away from you, try saying thank-you (with a smile!). Follow with a sentence about the item, feature, or reason you’re being complimented. Try to remember the times you’ve complimented someone else who has had a hard time accepting what you’ve said. How did it make you feel, and did it make you want to compliment them again in the future? Then think about the times you’ve complimented someone who genuinely received what you said in a positive manner. The latter will help remind you of how refreshing it is to stop denying compliments and embrace them for what they’re worth.
