Choose To Become An EncouragerWritten by Guy Harris
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I loved both of my grandmothers, but one became a greater influence on my life. Why? She constantly spoke words of encouragement to me and everyone else she met for that matter. In fact, she still does to this day. She always tells me how wonderful I am, how much she loves me, and how proud she is of me. As an adult, I still look forward to speaking with her. When my grandfather passed away, I spoke at his funeral. I did best I could to pay tribute to one of greatest men I have ever personally known. About six months later, my grandmother called again to tell me how wonderful my comments were and how smart and wise I am. I don't really believe that I am smartest person on planet, but it sure feels good to have someone tell you that. After we spoke, I felt like a million bucks and believed that I could accomplish anything. Would you like to have that influence on people? Would you like to inspire people around you to work harder and accomplish more? You do hold that power. You have it when you use positive words – words of encouragement and praise. As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, "Treat a man as he appears to be and you make him worse. But treat a man as if he already were what he potentially could be, and you make him what he should be." Next to example, words are probably most powerful tools leaders use. Words communicate your hopes, your dreams, your vision, your message, and your heart. Words show other people how you see them. As a leader, your words make a difference. Your words will either build-up or tear down, encourage or discourage, inspire or deflate. The choice is up to you. I encourage you to remember this simple tip and spread some perfume of happiness around as you . . . Choose to become an encourager. Copyright 2005, Guy HarrisYou may use this article for electronic distribution if you will include all contact information with live links back to author. Notification of use is not required, but I would appreciate it. Please contact author prior to use in printed media.
Guy Harris is the Chief Relationship Officer with Principle Driven Consulting. He helps entrepreneurs, business managers, and other organizational leaders build trust, reduce conflict, and improve team performance. Learn more at http://www.principledriven.com Guy co-authored "The Behavior Bucks System TM" to help parents reduce stress and conflict. Learn more about this book at http://www.behaviorbucks.com
| | The Great OpportunityWritten by Neil Millar
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I had been upset. I had been dwelling on down side of my relationship break-up. In particular I had been regretting so many wasted years. I was feeling just awful when thought I am telling you about travelled through my brain like an express train. The thought was this: “I am a lucky man, in an enviable position and I’m a free to create most incredible relationship with most incredible woman I’ve ever met.” Until that moment I had no idea that break-up of my relationship had a positive side, but that realisation made me laugh. That realisation reshaped my day. In fact it did a lot more than that… Over next few days I still had plenty of moments when I thought about all things that hurt me. The good thing was though that “I’m a lucky man…’ thoughts kept returning. I realise now that what I had begun to do was let go of my attachment to my past relationship. I begun to spend time sitting down with my eyes shut and repeating thoughts that I was now free to create most incredible relationship. As I did this it was like cords breaking. The heartache and pain subsided gradually over following days and I began to feel somehow lighter, like a little of my pain had been lifted off. Within four months that incredible relationship began to unfold. First I met this wonderful woman. We became close friends and from there magic has just continued to unfold. Try this: For a moment close your eyes. Think about one thing that is causing you heart-ache. Now, be playful and imagine that this pain is in fact a great opportunity. Smile as you think about opportunity that is now available to you right now. It may be a relationship. It may be a change of job. Whatever it is, just remember that as one door closes another opens…
This article is an extract from Neil Millar’s ‘Greater Steps to Happiness’. Visit http://www.neilmillar.net and find out how to join Neil’s fast-growing readership and obtain a free copy of this e-book.
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