Self-compassion “involves treating yourself the way you would treat a friend who is having a hard time. . .a practice in which we learn to be a good friend to ourselves when we need it most.” (The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Kristen Neff, PhD and Christopher Germer, PhD, 2018)
This past week, I facilitated a self-compassion seminar for bank employees. I began by asking the participants to reflect on these questions:
- When you fail or make a mistake, what kinds of things run through your mind?
- Do you have a critical voice? If so, what do you find it saying to you?
- A good friend or trusted co-worker comes to you who made a mistake. What would you say to that friend or co-worker?
- What if you started to treat yourself like you treat a good friend or co-worker; to use the same voice with yourself as with your friend or co-worker?
- How would our workplace, personal life or world be different if we were more compassionate toward ourselves?
These questions challenge us to discern the meaning of self-compassion, how we extend compassion to others, and what blocks us from extending compassion to ourselves. How would you answer these questions?
I invite you to view this short YouTube video called The Power of Self-Compassion produced by Kristen Neff and Christopher Germer. The above questions are asked of several individuals (not actors). Listen to their responses. Are you hearing yourself?
Contact me to discuss how to apply concepts of compassion in your workplace.
