Dare To Live Without Limits Week Of 5/9/2022

An encouraging word can work like magic

Encouragement is a magical mental elixir with numerous outstanding benefits and no negative side effects. Encouragement improves lives, drives success, changes perspectives, builds self-confidence and self-esteem, and stimulates effort.
Anyone can offer encouragement. One of the best ways to do so is by example. Demonstrate by your own actions what is possible. Showing what is doable is much more effective than only telling someone what they can, or should do.
You can be a walking example of the magic of motivation. Your actions are more convincing than your words. So, before you seek to encourage others make sure you embody encouragement in all you do.
Positive reinforcement is effective encouragement. You want people to strive for rewards, not to be cautious so as to elude punishment. Seeking rewards is always more powerful than avoiding consequences. Let people know what they can do and why. Clearly identify the benefits. Get people committed to attaining their objective.
A cornerstone of encouragement is explaining the benefits of reaching a desired goal. People are much more inclined to put in the necessary effort when they understand the advantages of attaining their objective.
Praise encourages people to keep going. Praise a person’s effort, progress, and accomplishment. Any accomplishment, regardless of how small is praiseworthy. Praise is one of the most coveted rewards. Praise shows recognition and appreciation.
Praise in public whatever behavior you want to encourage. This positive reinforcement is a wonderful motivator. People crave having their efforts acknowledged. As a result, they strive to repeat their praiseworthy behavior.
Show people you appreciate their efforts by thanking them. Being courteous, respectful and polite while treating others with dignity is in itself encouraging. You know how you feel when you are appreciated. Others feel the same way.
You can thank someone in person, over the phone, by text, or email. A hand written thank you card is a particularly nice touch. Successful businesses know that thanking their customers for their patronage creates return customers. Employees who feel appreciated tend to perform at higher levels. Everyone is encouraged when thanked.
Encourage others by listening to their comments and feedback. Offer constructive suggestions on how to solve problems. Don’t criticize mistakes. Help people understand what caused a mistake and how to prevent it from happening again.
Although mistakes are a potent learning tool, too often they are used to punish and criticize. Utilize mistakes to encourage others to learn and grow. Experience is a good teacher, but someone else’s experience is a better teacher.
Use the mistakes of others to demonstrate why being conscientious is so important. Stress why it’s essential to think before you act. For example, if you want to encourage someone who wants to start their own business, have them review case studies of both successful and failed businesses. This approach shows exactly what’s required for success without having to personally experience bankruptcy.
Help people identify and capitalize on their strengths. Too many people overlook their strengths because they are distracted by their perceived weaknesses. Show someone what they are truly capable of and you will make a lifelong positive impression.
Encourage a person by showing them how to overcome their weaknesses. Something can always be done to mitigate any perceived limitations. The only time a weakness stops someone is if they allow it.
Everyone benefits from the magic of encouragement. It helps both the one providing encouragement as well as the person being encouraged. You can encourage family, friends, subordinates, coworkers, bosses, and strangers. Make it a goal to see how many people you can encourage each day.

NOW AVAILABLE: "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper.  2022 Bryan Golden