Did you expect to be good at everything?

While speaking with a friend this week, I was told that something was “not my best skill.”  I’m simplifying the conversation tremendously, but I want to be very clear.  My friend wasn’t being anything but nice!  The point wasn’t “you’re bad at this.”  The point was that I have a ton of great skills; however, that particular thing was not one of my great skills.

Regardless of how nice my friend was, I was still offended.  The thought of being bad at something made me insecure, and my embarrassment must have been visible.  Thankfully, I was brought back to reality by the next questions I received.

What, did you expect to be good at everything?

Hm…  I guess that’s a pretty good point.  The question triggered a follow up question.

Would you judge anyone as harshly as you judge yourself?

Of course not.  If the roles were reversed, what would I say to a friend who wasn’t so great at something?  I’d tell her not to sweat it because she has so many other skills!  I’d explain how silly it is to feel insecure or embarrassed about an imperfection because it’s simply unrealistic and impossible to have it all.

This week, pay attention to the way you speak to yourself.  Pay attention to the expectations you hold yourself to and the judgements you make if you fall short.  Are you talking to yourself the way you’d talk to your best friend?  If not, make a change.  You deserve the same respect, patience, and understanding you give to others!