"Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress."
Nicholas Murray Butler
1862-1947, Philosopher, Diplomat and Educator
The Value of Encouragement
Here is your Friday story,
The Value of Encouragement
We are lucky enough to live opposite a magnificent sporting complex (3 soccer fields and a cricket pitch); so we get entertained all year round with the presence of people of all ages playing to win! The most passion shown is when the kids are playing!
The other day I experienced a soccer coach working with his young teenage team just prior to them playing a match.
What a great time I had listening to his words of praise and encouragement as I walked just near them as I wandered home from one of my daily strolls beside our beautiful lake.
His words were so uplifting and supportive to this group of keen young sportsmen! They were about to go onto the field, and do their best to win their game, which they train so hard for every week.
After I got home I sat and observed his actions with the young guys just before they ran on to begin play. I couldn't hear his words now as I was inside our home and telling Sue what I had heard him saying; but I could distinctly see his supportive actions and energy as he spoke to every player individually. Pats on the back; hand shakes; high-fives; encouragement plus! Pure magic!
Every one of them lit up with enthusiasm and eagerness to do their best for him, for themselves, and for the team!
The coach of the other team was displaying the exact opposite behavior; he was yelling abuse and criticism 'at' his young players the whole time; and displayed an arrogant argumentative attitude towards the opposition team and the umpire for the entire game.
Yes - the team who received the nurturing and encouragement did win the game! And...they celebrated accordingly with their singing, dancing, and excited cheering!
The other team walked off the field with their heads hung down in disappointment.
The people in our lives; those people who we spend time and conversation with; are also experiencing either encouragement or criticism from us and others.
They also will be feeling those winning or losing emotions; just as we do from others in our lives!
It is important for us all to be aware of what we are 'putting out there' when dealing with family, friends, and work mates.
Yes, I do understand that "What other people do or say is their stuff; and how we react (or not) is our stuff"; however - this message today is about promoting the use of encouraging words and actions as often as possible.
Encouragement: We all need to hear it; see it; and feel it!
Best way for each of us to have that experience is to give it out freely; and it will come back freely!
Have a great week of doing your best to just be YOU!
(c) Phil Evans - People Stuff TM - 2011
Phil Evans is a Motivator, Business Coach, Life Coach and Inspirational Writer specialising in Relationship Dynamics and Adoption Issues. You can visit his website at: www.peoplestuff.com.au and join his newsletter.
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Sent to you as a courtesy of:
Josh Hinds
Inspirational Speaker, Author, and Coach
http://www.JoshHinds.com
From Inspire your day emails, what a power story to finish off the year.
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Hang In There by Ron White
Hang In There by Ron White
I remember Navy boot camp like it was yesterday. An event that occurred on my second day still causes me to pause when I reflect on it. You can tell a new soldier to boot camp from one who is about to graduate based upon the clothes and ribbons they wear. It was clearly my second day, evidenced by what I was wearing. I was walking single file with my unit down a hall and a sailor who was about to graduate passed us.
He must have noticed my expression. It without a doubt said, “I am tired, intimidated, scared and hungry.” You can't talk when walking in formation, therefore he whispered out of the side of his mouth as we passed, “Hang in there... you can do it.”
I turned to look at his face, but all I saw was the back of his head. Every night before I drifted off to sleep I replayed those words. I will never know that sailor's name. He will never know how it turned my attitude around 180 degrees. He will never know that years later I still remember the electricity of encouragement that shot through my body.
I knew that the only reason he knew what I was feeling is because he had been where I was and felt how I felt. He had made it and wanted me to know that I could as well. I was eternally grateful.
Then it was my turn. On my graduation day, I walked into a storage facility and saw three sailors leaning up against the wall. They were new and scared, intimidated, tired and hungry. I walked over to them and whispered, “Hang in there... you can do it.” Within one second tears filled the eyes of the female sailor and one of the males clenched his fist and gave me a million thanks with his eyes.
As I walked away I had goose bumps. I knew that my words would be motivation for the rest of the day and fuel every night to keep them focused on their goal of graduation when they wanted to quit. I hope they passed on the encouragement to another sailor before they graduated... and I know they did.
If you are in a valley, then remember this. Others have been there (including me). Hang in there. You can do it. Whether your goal is boot camp graduation, building a business or a raising a family... since others have done it... you can too. Hang in there.
If you are at a peak, do not underestimate what a few kind words of encouragement might do for those around you.
Many find it odd that at this point in my career that I am in the Naval Reserves. I generate more income by one person attending my seminar than I do in my one weekend a month. When I was activated, I earned a fraction of my current income. But, I do it because it is right for me and in my heart I have to. I also do it because the lessons like the one above are invaluable to me. I hope you found some value in it as well.
—Ron White
From Thank you Ron White for this wonderful article reminding us of the value of hanging in there from his newsletter.
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