When you think about your daily habits, how many of them truly support the life you want? Many of us fall into patterns—rushing through the day, juggling work, family, and responsibilities—without stopping to consider whether those habits are actually helping us achieve the balance we’re after.
We get so used to running on autopilot, focused on getting things done, that we rarely take a step back to ask if the way we’re living is aligned with what we really want. So the question then is, is there a simple daily habit that can help us transform our work-life balance? Yes, there is, and that’s what I’m going to be talking about in this episode.
This one simple habit will do more for your work-life balance than all your other habits combined and that habit is self-appreciation.
Now, I know what you might be thinking. When you hear “self-appreciation,” it probably sounds a bit fluffy, right? I used to think the same. For those of us who thrive on productivity and checking off tasks, self-appreciation can feel like just another thing on the to-do list.
But here’s the truth I’ve learned: it’s anything but a waste of time. In fact, it’s one of the most powerful ways to boost how effective and energized you are.
So if you’re still not onboard, let me explain why we resist self-appreciation. If you’re like me, you probably measure success by how much you get done in a day.
It can feel like stopping to appreciate yourself is unproductive, even indulgent. But that thinking misses the mark. Taking a moment to recognize your own value can actually make you better at everything else you do.
Here’s the thing: self-appreciation isn’t about slowing down or being less productive. It’s about acknowledging your strengths and the value you bring to everything you do.
Think of it as recharging your batteries. When you appreciate your efforts, you’re giving yourself the energy and motivation to keep moving forward.
If you think about it, it’s kind of like parenting. You wouldn’t only focus on what your kids are doing wrong.
You’d point out what they’re doing well and encourage them to build on that. It’s the same for you. When you acknowledge what’s going right, it creates a positive cycle that helps you feel more satisfied and motivated.
Now, self-appreciation doesn’t mean ignoring areas where you can grow, and it’s not about pretending everything’s perfect. It’s about finding a balance—celebrating your successes while still aiming to improve.
The more you practice it, the more natural it becomes. You’ll start seeing your strengths more clearly, and you’ll be able to build on them even more.
So why does this matter so much? Because it’s the foundation for everything else. It’s what helps you keep going when things get tough, gives you the confidence to face new challenges, and reminds you to see the bigger picture.
When you start appreciating yourself, you’ll notice how much better you can balance everything—work, home, and everything in between. You’ll have more energy, more confidence, and you’ll feel a lot less drained.
This week, I’m going to discuss the first step to this simple habit, shifting your mindset to incorporate this habit, and how it also leads to both professional and personal development.
The first step to this simple habit
Now that we’ve talked about why self-appreciation is so important, let’s dive into how you can start practicing it in your daily life. The first step is something that might seem simple but is incredibly powerful: awareness.
Let me start by asking: How often do you stop and truly notice your own thoughts, actions, and successes? In our busy lives, it’s easy to let these things slip by unnoticed, but paying attention to yourself is a key ingredient in building a positive, empowering relationship with who you are.
Awareness isn’t about perfection or pretending you have it all together. It’s about being honest with yourself, noticing where you’re succeeding, and giving yourself credit for those moments.
It’s easy to rush from one task to the next without a second thought, but what if you took a moment to reflect on what you’ve done well today? This simple act of paying attention can shift your perspective and help you build a habit of self-appreciation.
To start building this awareness, try an exercise that’s both practical and uplifting. Take a moment each day to list 3 things you appreciate about yourself.
These can be anything from small acts of kindness you’ve shown to others, to the way you managed a challenging situation, or even personal qualities like your sense of humor or resilience. This exercise isn’t just about making a list; it’s about consciously recognizing and acknowledging your value.
At first, this might feel a bit unnatural, especially if you’re used to being hard on yourself or focusing on what needs improvement. But the more you practice, the easier it becomes.
The amazing thing is that you’ll start to notice that you’re more aware of your positive traits throughout the day, and this awareness naturally leads to a deeper sense of self-appreciation.
It’s also important to remember that awareness isn’t a one-time thing—it’s an ongoing practice. Just like you wouldn’t only appreciate your child once and then forget about them, you should continually remind yourself of the qualities and achievements that make you who you are.
This ongoing awareness helps to reinforce your sense of self-worth and keeps you connected to the positive aspects of yourself, even when life gets hectic.
So why does this matter? Because when you’re aware of your own value, you start to see how much you have to offer.
You’re more likely to approach challenges with confidence, to pursue your goals with determination, and to treat yourself with the kindness and respect you deserve. Awareness is the foundation that supports self-appreciation, and self-appreciation, in turn, enhances every area of your life.
So, take that first step today—start noticing the good things about yourself. Write them down, reflect on them, and let that awareness guide you toward a deeper appreciation of who you are. Over time, you’ll find that this simple practice can change not just how you see yourself, but how you move through the world.
Shifting your mindset to incorporate this habit
Once you’ve started building awareness of your strengths and achievements, the next step is to focus on how you can shift your mindset when challenges come up. This brings us to the idea of redirecting your mind to focus on the positive.
The issue is that most of us have a habit we fall into without even realizing it: dwelling on our shortcomings. Whether it’s replaying a less-than-perfect conversation in your head or fixating on the tasks you didn’t get to, it’s easy to get caught up in a cycle of self-criticism.
But what if you could turn that around? What if, instead of honing in on what’s wrong, you trained your mind to focus on what’s right? This simple shift in focus can make a world of difference in how you see yourself and how you navigate your day-to-day life.
We all have moments where we’re harder on ourselves than we need to be. Maybe you didn’t complete everything on your to-do list, or you made a mistake at work that’s bothering you.
It’s natural to feel frustrated in these moments, but staying stuck in that frustration doesn’t help. In fact, it can sap your energy and make you less effective at everything else you need to do.
The key here is to consciously redirect your thoughts. When you catch yourself spiraling into negativity, pause and choose to focus on something positive instead. It’s not about ignoring the things that didn’t go as planned, but rather about balancing those thoughts with a recognition of what’s going well.
Here’s how this looks in practice. Suppose you’re feeling overwhelmed because you made a mistake at work. Instead of beating yourself up, take a moment to acknowledge something you did well that day.
Maybe you managed a tough conversation with a colleague or stayed calm under pressure. By shifting your focus to these positive aspects, you’re not dismissing the mistake, but you’re also not letting it overshadow everything else.
This practice of redirecting your mind to focus on the positive is a skill that gets easier the more you do it. It’s like learning to steer a ship—you start by gently guiding it in a new direction, and over time, you become more adept at keeping it on course.
It’s important to recognize that this isn’t about ignoring challenges or pretending everything is perfect. It’s about giving yourself credit where it’s due and building a habit of self-appreciation. By consciously choosing to focus on the positives, you’re not just changing your thoughts—you’re actively reinforcing a more balanced and encouraging self-view.
In the long run, this practice of redirecting your mind to focus on the positive can transform how you experience your daily life. It empowers you to see the good in yourself, even when things don’t go perfectly, and it helps build resilience that carries you through the tougher times.
So, the next time you catch yourself fixating on a flaw or mistake, pause, take a deep breath, and ask yourself: “What’s one thing I did well today?” Let that thought guide you toward a more positive and productive mindset.
By learning to redirect your mind and focus on what’s going well, you’re setting yourself up for more than just a better day—you’re laying the groundwork for long-term growth. Now, let’s explore how this practice of self-appreciation can also lead to both personal and professional development, especially for accountant moms.
How this habit also leads to both professional and personal development
Self-appreciation might seem like something personal, just a way to boost your mood. But when you look closer, you’ll see that it can greatly impact not only your personal growth but also your professional success—especially for accountant moms who are juggling both work and home responsibilities.
As an accountant, our work is detail-oriented and often involves juggling multiple responsibilities at once. It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of our job and overlook the importance of taking a step back to appreciate the skills and qualities that make us good at what we do.
However, when you consciously take the time to recognize your strengths, you’re not just boosting your confidence—you’re enhancing your ability to grow professionally.
Let’s break this down. When you appreciate your ability to stay organized, to manage complex tasks, or to maintain accuracy under pressure, you’re reinforcing these skills. This acknowledgment isn’t just about feeling good; it’s about building a strong foundation for continued success in your career.
By recognizing and valuing these qualities in yourself, you’re more likely to approach new challenges with confidence and resilience.
For example, imagine you’ve just completed a challenging tax return that required you to manage a tight deadline, coordinate with a team, and ensure everything was done to the highest standard. Instead of moving on to the next task without a second thought, take a moment to appreciate the skills you brought to the table.
Recognize your ability to keep everything organized, your attention to detail, and your ability to lead under pressure. This simple act of self-appreciation helps solidify these strengths, making them even more accessible the next time you face a similar challenge.
This growth isn’t just about building confidence—it’s about setting yourself up for future success. When you actively appreciate your professional strengths, you’re more likely to seek out opportunities that play to those strengths, leading to further development in your career.
Or let’s say you’ve just learned a new software that’s important for your work. Take a moment to appreciate the effort you put into learning something new.
It helps you stay competitive in your field and shows that you’re flexible and ready for the future. By recognizing this, you’ll feel more motivated to keep learning new things, which will help you grow in your career.
Whether it’s taking on a leadership role in a project, pursuing a certification, or simply tackling more complex tasks, your self-appreciation acts as a catalyst for growth.
Now, let’s tie this back to your personal development. As you continue to appreciate your professional skills, you’ll find that this mindset naturally extends to other areas of your life.
The confidence you gain from recognizing your professional strengths can enhance your role as a mother, partner, and friend. You’ll start to see how the qualities that make you successful at work also contribute to your success in other aspects of your life.
But how do you start? Here’s a simple exercise: create a list of self-appreciations that focus on both your personal and professional life. Write down the things you value about yourself as a mom and as an accountant.
Maybe it’s your ability to stay calm under pressure at work and at home, your knack for problem-solving, or your commitment to continuous learning. Revisit this list regularly, especially after you’ve accomplished something significant in either role.
By making this a habit, you’ll not only build a stronger sense of self-worth, but you’ll also set the stage for ongoing growth in both your personal and professional life. You’ll find that as you nurture your strengths, they become more visible, helping you to excel in your career and in your role as a mother.
The bottom line is that by recognizing and appreciating your strengths, you’re not only growing as a person but also paving the way for continued success in your career. So start today—take the time to appreciate yourself and watch how it transforms both your personal and professional life.
Questions to consider:
Question: “What is one thing I did well today, either at work or at home?” This question helps you shift your focus from what went wrong to what went right. By regularly acknowledging your successes, you build confidence and reinforce positive behaviors, making it easier to repeat them in the future.
Question: “What strengths did I use to overcome a challenge recently?” Reflecting on your strengths during challenging times helps you recognize the skills you already possess. This not only boosts your self-esteem but also makes you more aware of the tools you can rely on in the future, both in personal and professional situations.
Question: “How can I continue to grow in both my personal life and my career by appreciating my efforts?” This question encourages you to think about the connection between self-appreciation and ongoing growth. It helps you identify areas where recognizing your efforts can lead to further development, ensuring that self-appreciation is a continuous practice that supports both your personal and professional goals.