Start self-praise process

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Updated: May 5, 2011 4:43PM

Karen Hand admits she can get caught up in negativity, but when she does, the hypnotist begins the simple exercise she recommends everyone perform daily.

“Write on a piece of paper four things you do well. That might be: ‘I have very pretty handwriting,’ ‘I laugh easily,’ ‘I pick good tennis shoes that are extremely comfortable’ or ‘I park between the lines’ — whatever you realize you are good at.

“But if we stop long enough to realize that we consistently park between the lines — and, believe me, that’s a big thing — if you don’t think so, go onto any parking lot and see how many people don’t park between the lines — we realize that parking between the lines can translate to ‘I respect my property and other people’s property [therefore] I’m a good cooperative citizen.’

“Choosing to look for things you’re actually good at might mean that the overweight person is able to write ‘but I do find stylish clothes anyway’ to start the process of self-praise in an effort to counter negativity.”

“If you give yourself enough credit for the things you do well, your negativity begins to wane,” Hand reasons.

Sandy Thorn Clark