Positive Achievement List

Compiling your own ‘positive achievement’ list is a way of respecting yourself.

Recognising and acknowledging small achievements in your life can allow you to appreciate just how far you’ve come and how well you’ve done.

It’s useful to write down all the things you’ve achieved that you’re proud of having accomplished. All the events in your past that you feel good at having done. Those moments when you can say to yourself ‘Didn’t I do well.’

Think back to the adventures you’ve had in your lifetime when you took a leap of faith. When you survived and thrived and expanded beyond your comfort zone.

Nothing is too small or too large. Don’t overthink this one. After all it’s your list and they’re your achievements. You’re doing this for yourself and no-one else has to read it.

Keep a copy nearby and update the record each year, or when something good happens that you want to celebrate about yourself.

There’s nothing distasteful about blowing your own trumpet. Despite the fact that we may have been brought up to think the opposite. So even though doing this list may go against the grain, do it anyway. This is a gift to yourself.

The list is there for you to read through when you’re in need of a ‘feel good’ boost, like a ‘mind tonic’ to remind you of your strengths and capabilities.

Reading my list through, helps banish the negative gremlin voices in my head that are put downs and can eat away at my self-worth. Recognising my achievements in this way, helps me to acknowledge and be grateful for the small accomplishments of my life, boosting my self-esteem.

When I can only ‘squeak like a mouse’ and am feeling dispirited and full of doubt about myself, I read my list and wonder at the things I’ve actually done well in my life. I look at myself with surprise and pleasure as I relive those ‘well-done’ moments. The ‘less than’ cloud begins to shift.  I’m reminded that my excitement for life will return.

I find this is a much better way of nourishing myself when I’m low, than eating cake or whatever else I’ve used in the past to try and feel better, like alcohol and spending money.

When you’re feeling miserable, or ‘less than’ or the flashing light is warning you that your energy tank is close to empty, look at your Positive Achievement list. Read it through and then remind yourself just how well you’ve done so far. This can be like swallowing a vitamin tonic that boosts your vitality and makes you smile with pleasure.

Fist pump time.  Yes. you have done all these things. Well done. Be proud of them, no matter how small. Reassure yourself that you are indeed an extremely capable person, who still has these resources within you. That strength, energy, courage, spirit, passion, commitment, perseverance and persistence.

Your list can include anything at all, that makes you feel positive about yourself.

Examples might be:

School achievements - I was chosen at age 11 to create a painting of the school and it was hung in the school entrance hall. I loved my talent being appreciated and feeling special.

Life achievements - like getting married; giving birth; choosing not to have children etc.

Academic achievements - passing exams; studying at College etc. As someone who has had huge difficulty in the past, believing in my own capabilities, I am immensely proud of achieving a First-Class Honours in my BA Communications Degree, and a Distinction in my MSc degree.

Sporting achievements - being picked to represent your school; Winning a race; taking part in a competition etc. I am very proud of having completed 3 London marathons and raising money for Charity.

Learning a new Skill

Activities completed: Sky diving; Parachute jumping; Having a balloon ride etc

Career achievements - These are particularly important to me, as I have always felt ‘less than’ and these accomplishments in my career make me feel better about myself. I was appointed Director of Addiction Recovery Agency in Bristol UK, an innovative therapeutic Charity for people recovering from addiction.

Four years later, I was appointed European Programme Consultant for Crossroads, Antigua. An addiction recovery treatment centre, set up by Eric Clapton.

Reminding myself of these achievements fills me with immense pride.

And let’s not forget - publishing my first book - ‘Wearing Red - One Woman’s Journey to Sanity.’

The list of possibilities that you can include is endless.

Create your own list and see how your feathers fluff up when you read it. Compiling your positive achievements list is a form of self-nurture. And we can never have enough of that.

A powerful tonic for the spirit.