Encouraging others is meant to offer reassurance or inspiration, it is designed to show approval or promote another, it may even be a form of support. In fact, here are 7 things encouragement can do…

1. Boost confidence – When you’re down and out, having someone encourage you can be life-changing. People will often take big, positive steps in their journey when they have been encouraged and quite the opposite, without it, they can feel demoralized or alone.


2. Improve general morale – Words of encouragement can mean a happier workplace and a drive toward more productivity, or in any team setting, like sports or other games, a good douse of positive encouragement can lead others on to victory.


3. Inspire others – Sometimes we don’t even know how our simple words can inspire and motivate those around us. Having someone believe in us can be just the push we need.


4. Support your network – When it comes to friends, family, or neighbours, offering support and encouragement can help people get through even the worst of situations. You may never truly know what another person is going through, but your words can have a deep impact on their recovery or healing.


5. Heal with words – Mental and physical ailments can take away from ones daily joy, but those unexpected words of encouragement can be just what someone may need to hear in order to be able to move forward. 


6. Pay it forward – Kindness make for a happier person and happier people make for a better world. The words you choose to share are both a reflection of your own character, and what you’d like to see out in the world.


7. Breed empathy – It isn’t just that misery loves company, encouragement loves it too! Sharing in each other’s failures and successes can build new and strengthen old relationships.


 When we’re not sure what to say to someone to uplift them, we can choose to engage in a little curiosity together. This can be the difference between asking how are you, versus simply stating that the person doesn’t look well. One leaves room for them to express themselves and maybe share about their hardships, while the other makes assumptions and shuts down the opportunity for communication.

If someone is feeling low, they may need a spark of energy. Assessing the situation and finding out whether they want a competitive option or a collaborative approach can be important, because the wrong one can have the opposite of any desired outcome. Challenging someone to a finish line, such as, who can make the most cold-calls that afternoon, might be encouragement to one person, or to another it may be just one more thing they can’t get right.

Encouragement should be genuine and authentic. When designed for a group, it can be more general, but if it is one-on-one, the more specific it can be, the more validating it will feel.

Some examples:
“I’m proud of you for walking this road, for doing what’s right for you.”
“You’re making a big change, and that’s a really big deal.”
“I know what you’re going through is hard, but I’m rooting for you every minute of every day.” 
“Even when you might not feel it, you’ve got the strength to get through.”

By offering uplifting words and compliments to others, we can inspire them to write the next chapter in their own story. If you need some encouragement, or are looking to learn how to offer it to your loved ones, reach out for a free 30 minute Discovery Call and let’s see if we’re a good fit. I’d love to work with you on this and other goals.