You might have been unappreciated or never been encouraged in your life, but have you ever thought of doing the opposite—to encourage, appreciate and change someone’s life for the better? Lately, my buddy Emma has been working so hard to join the basketball team. He is no longer lazy and reluctant as before. Every time he played in a match, he was always blamed if his team lost. Criticism is all he got after every game.
You might have been unappreciated or never been encouraged in your life, but have you ever thought of doing the opposite—to encourage, appreciate and change someone’s life for the better?Lately, my buddy Emma has been working so hard to join the basketball team. He is no longer lazy and reluctant as before. Every time he played in a match, he was always blamed if his team lost. Criticism is all he got after every game.
"You improved your game today though you lost,” I told him, one evening after a game.
He was obviously happy about my comment. The next time he played better dand his coach showered him with words of encouragement.
"Thanks, I loved your game today!” his coach had proclaimed.
Emma’s attitude had changed since he began receiving compliments. He never looked and is one of the best players his team has. This implies that, taking the courtesy to encourage someone with a simple word like, "T-H-A-N-K-S”—a six letter word; has the power to change someone’s life forever.
Last week, one reader sent an amazing comment to my email; it read "I loved your article”. Wow… I said to myself after reading it. These were simple words, making a big and positive implication on my life.
Appreciating and encouraging people, is one of the fundamental techniques of handling people and perhaps getting closer to them. All I am trying to say is that let it be your honour to make change in someone else’s life.
If you decide to appreciate someone, give honest and sincere appreciation. In other words, let it not be anything close to flattery.
Flattery and appreciation are two different things. Simple, one is insecure while the other is sincere. Appreciation is from the heart while flattery comes straight from your teeth.
Therefore, speak from the heart and who knows, maybe the favour will be returned to you.