According to many studies, the #1 reason people give for leaving their marriages, and the #1 reason most employees leave their jobs is that they don’t feel appreciated.
Marriage experts remind us that it is important to create a positive ratio of appreciations to complaints or requests for change. Some say a healthy marriage has at least 5 appreciations for every 1 complaint or request for change.
Employees consistently rate feeling appreciated as being even more important to their job satisfaction than financial compensation.
And yet, most of us are not great at giving appreciations. Our minds may be in the culturally - supported habit of looking for what’s wrong, in ourselves, in others and in our situations.
The good news is, you can choose to cultivate the habit of appreciation.
Cultivate the habit of appreciation and you own a magic wand you can use to boost success, satisfaction and joy in all your relationships - at home, at work, and at play.
3 Keys to Reclaim Your Magical Power of Appreciation
1. Be on the lookout for things you genuinely appreciate about people. Catch people the act of doing things well.
2. Try expressing your appreciation it in specific terms. (ex: Rather than saying “You did a good job at work today”; try being more specific: “I noticed how well you listened today to the client who came in really upset. That’s not easy and you did it so well and she obviously left feeling better.”
3. Practice! The more you practice appreciation the easier and more natural it becomes.
And of course, short and sweet is fine! If you are in a rush or can’t think of more words a simple heartfelt Thank you! goes a long way
Side Benefit: When you are on the lookout for things you appreciate in your spouse, family member or co- worker, your own body, mind and life benefit!
Looking for the good in others puts you into an inner mode of gratitude which boosts your immune system, your creativity, your productivity and your mood.
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ~ Leo Buscaglia
Need a little support in giving - or receiving - appreciations? Email me and let’s set up a time to chat.