A major case of the Stop Its.

You know how you'll be reading something online or you'll be ensconced in conversation with someone, and they say something that just makes you internally clench your fists and mutter "stop it stop it stop it"?  I find myself clenching an awful lot.  I like to imagine myself as being terrifically laid back, and in certain ways, I am.  I'm oddly relaxed when semi-serious things are afoot, but then will find myself spinning off the map over small, inconsequential things.

Hence, this blog.  Hmmm.

Well, today I feel compelled to share some items that cause me to have a case of the Stop Its, and perhaps it will wind up being one for you to grow on.  Or clench YOUR fists and mutter "stop it stop it stop it".

*Stop it with the insty undermining yourself and your efforts in any given thing.  When you're paid a compliment, is your immediate reaction to list all the reasons why you shouldn't be paid said compliment, whether it's on your work, your appearance, or pretty much anything?  Do you fall over yourself to ascribe acclaim to others when you know goddamned well you're the reason why Thing X came to fruition or worked successfully?  Humility has its time and place, but no one on this crisp earth is required to be eyes-downcast-humble 100 percent of the time.  If you've worked your ass off on something, then by crumb claim that success and the work you've put in.  Stop having "well, you know, I got lucky and I suck at bocce and I have uncharitable thoughts occasionally about whiny children and I don't give enough to charity and my ass is huge" be your go-to yammer if someone says "I appreciate your help" or "That's a nice blouse" or "damn, you knocked it out of the park on the Bob Cumbers account".