Heartfelt encouragement is the ability to communicate with words and actions the positive belief you have in yourself and others. An “encourager” seems to have an almost innate ability to say and do the right thing at the right time. Are you an encourager?
How can you recognize someone who has the ability to encourage?
Listen to the reaction of people who’ve been around an encourager -
From your personal experiences, what characteristics do you remember about some of the most encouraging people you’ve met? Have any of them left a lasting impression on your life? If I asked you to share a story about your most encouraging teacher, coach, friend or relative I bet you could tell me immediately. Encouragers can make a positive and lasting difference.
Are you an “encourager”? Believe it or not, you have the positive ability to influence everyone you meet. Encouragement can be as simple as a thank you.
How does encouragement impact our lives? It brings out our best by focusing on being valued and appreciated. With encouragement comes greater self-confidence and enhanced self-esteem. When you focus energy on recognizing and encouraging someone’s strengths, instead of weaknesses, those strengths become stronger.
Take fifteen minutes and analyze your encouragement skills. Ask yourself:
1. What things do I do daily to encourage the people in my life?
2. What can I do today to enhance my ability to be more encouraging?
3. What should I accept more fully within myself to become more accepting of others?
Here’s a self-development truth: We like and trust those people with whom we can easily relate and who help us feel better about ourselves.
Encouragers know how to establish rapport. Rapport is established by creating a bond of mutual respect and commonality. Do you listen for commonality with the people you meet? How about finding common interests relating to hobbies, professional associations, education, sports, music, travel and self-development. Encouragers seem to effortlessly develop sincere rapport. Establishing rapport is a powerful communication skill.
Want to enhance your encouraging skills? You can begin by recognizing and appreciating the uniqueness within each of us. Encouragers don’t set out to change people; they appreciate those special qualities that make each one of us individual and special. Have you been a sincere “encourager” lately?
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