I’ve said before that we should be prepared to describe what we have to offer in 90 seconds or less. This might be in reference to our skills, our business, or our dream. Why is that, you ask? There are 90 seconds between floors on the elevator and you never know when that brief moment with that executive (or your future spouse) will present itself. “Opportunity favors the prepared mind.”

But Pastor, I Can’t Do It. Yes, You Can!

Many people find it difficult to sell their skills and accomplishments. The resume writing industry is booming because people don’t know how to talk themselves up. Another example is writing an account of our efforts for that annual review. If we can’t verbalize or spell out how great we are, how can we expect someone else to believe we deserve that promotion? If we don’t believe we are out of this world in awesomeness, then how can we expect our future spouse to think that about us?

Acknowledge The Good Things About You

We have to get our inner-me to align our words and thoughts with our goals. We have to BRAG on ourselves! If we do it, then we know it’s getting done! We have to take care of us. We have to match up our inner dialogue with what we are trying to build. I often say, “Encourage the behavior you want to see in others.” This goes for us as well. We need to encourage ourselves, remind ourselves of how fabulous we are. I have found that I do a little better when I brag on myself, and the Bible says this, “Acknowledge Every Good Gift That You Have.” (Philemon 1:6) Acknowledge, recognize, confess, admit, allow, accept that you are AWESOME!

Celebrate The Small Victories

Everyone including the devil is acknowledging the bad things. There’s no need for you to join in. Acknowledge the good things. If you only ate ONE pack of Girl Scout cookies, celebrate the fact that you didn’t eat TWO! Go tell everybody, “I have one tube left, Hallelujah!” And they will look at you, “Are you crazy?” And you’ll say, “No, I’m celebrating me.”

Celebrate What You Are Not

Let’s look at the blueprint that maps out the route to our dream. Let’s identify where we are on the path. Maps usually have a great big “YOU ARE HERE.” Okay, so you are one hundred pounds overweight, at least you’re not two hundred. “No, I am two hundred.” Okay, at least you’re not four hundred. We have to focus on the small victories and make a big deal out of them. Don’t wait for someone else to celebrate you. Take it one day at a time!