Learn how to wink at your faults ??

Welcome to Quick Confidence! This weekly letter delivers a spritz of stories, tips and simple actions that will build your confidence and your power. Each quick tip bolsters confidence in your body, mind, and relationships so you can lead yourself and others to greatness.?

When a person is brave enough to take off their mask of perfection, it communicates to others that they are allowed to, also.

A recent study from the University of Granada found that people who lightly poke fun at their flaws often have higher psychological well-being scores.?

Of course, it's possible to take this attitude too far. I do not recommend any self-mocking "humor" that edges towards meanness, negativity, or shame.?

In fact, I wrote about how to break up with self-deprecation in a previous Quick Confidence!?

The difference is that managing quirks or faults with humor helps you feel better, not worse.?

After all, it's natural and human to make mistakes — you're in good company.?

People who can chuckle at their faults are typically the type of people who let things “roll off their back” – little mistakes don’t ruin their whole day! This kind of behavior can be infectious in the right environments and make people open up to you in a similar way.

Doesn’t that sound like a wonderful way to live??

To not let the little things you can’t control – or the mistakes you made in the past – dictate your mood, day, or future?

Phew! What a relief that would be.

Today’s Quick Confidence is all about learning how to wink at our less than perfect selves!

Quick Confidence Tips to Laughing at Your Faults:

1. Embodied: Show confident body language even when you’re being humble. A fancy acting school might have you believe that you should fully commit to your part – no matter what. But even if you’re telling a silly anecdote about yourself, make a point to maintain confident, empowered body language. Our minds take lots of cues from our bodies – and the last thing we want to do is absorb the message we’re *less than* or convince others of that fact! Keep your shoulders back, smile and don’t be afraid to take up space and gesture openly. ...Even if you're making light of your actions and giving others permission to do the same.
2. Interpersonal: Be an example for others. When your faults are showing, laugh them off and take ownership. When people around you see that the world doesn’t come crashing down if you point out one of your peccadillos, they’ll likely feel more confident to own theirs, too. There is often too much shame surrounding the parts of ourselves that we cannot change or find extremely difficult to change. Fortunately, pointing them out can create a domino effect that ends up making your workplace, home, school – wherever! – more inclusive, understanding, and easy-going.
3. Mindset: Love what you cannot change. This is always easier said than done but learning to love ourselves is the fastest track to getting others to accept us for exactly who we are. Once you love and accept your faults, no one will be able to use them against you. You already know – I hope – that you have wonderful, useful, needed strengths. Relish and appreciate them – it’ll help you own your *non-strengths* and make them just a little easier to swallow. There won’t be an opportunity for anyone to say anything that will knock you down, because you’ve already acknowledged it, shrugged it off, and moved on.

Laughing at yourself shows that you know you’re not perfect, you’ve accepted it, and that you’ve got a lovable humility about you.

Remember, flaws are welcome here!

I know that learning to accept yourself “warts and all” can be a lifelong journey, but I’d love to help speed the process up a little.

Now I’m going to challenge you!?

This might seem a little scary, but I think we should all laugh at ourselves a little bit today. Here, you are celebrated for everything you are (and aren’t)!

I’ll go first: Nothing makes me more productive than the last minute.??? Your turn!

In this snackable Nano Tips for Communicating with Confidence course I share how to make sure that your voice is fully heard in any situation.

Explore words that raise your stature and three practical shifts to be more assertive, plus learn how to address challenges with over talkers, disagreement, overthinking, overexplaining, conflict on the job, and being overworked!

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