Related articles - Encouragement
A while ago, police in a small American town began pulling over more drivers than usual—but it wasn’t because there had been an upswing in the number of speeders. According to a news report from that community, Lori Carlson was one of the motorists stopped by a patrol officer. As he approached Lori’s car, her heart was racing, wondering what she had done wrong! She was sure that she hadn’t been speeding!
To her surprise, the policeman handed her a ticket with a smile and congratulations. The ticket read, “Your driving is great! We appreciate it!” Apparently the town council had authorized a new program that would give safe drivers a two dollar reward for obeying the speed limit, wearing seat belts, having children in protective seats and using turn signals.
“You are always nervous when you see police lights come on,” Carl Lomax was quoted as saying about being pulled over for safe driving. “It takes a second or two to adjust to the officer saying, ‘Hey thanks a lot for obeying the law!’ It’s about the last thing you would expect!”
The small Connecticut town had a great idea. The first thing others should expect from us is encouragement. Those within our circles of influence will respond best if we not only correct them when they do wrong, but thank them when they do right!
Encouragement is a basic need of every one of us. Just as our bodies need air, water, nourishment, exercise and rest; so do our souls need encouragement. We respond positively to a kind word for a reason: Doctors tell us that endorphins (those pain reducing feel-good elements in our chemical make-up) are actually produced in a climate of encouragement. We are more satisfied, cheerful and productive when these endorphins are released.
In the workplace, neglecting to encourage our employees can affect the commitment level, as well as the sense of harmony and well-being of the entire staff. Over time, a lack of encouragement and praise engenders resentment, disloyalty, a “do the minimum” mindset, and in some cases, a severing of relationships.
There’s a reason the Bible says “Speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope, so you’ll be all together in this – no one left out; no one left behind!”
Whether we are natural encouragers or not, here’s a simple experiment to help us remember to keep encouraging those around us.
Place five pennies in your pocket at the beginning of every day, and then move one penny to your left pocket every time you give someone a compliment or word of encouragement (I’m not talking flattery here – make sure it’s true!). Don’t leave work until all the five pennies are in your left pocket. As you become more natural at this, increase the number of coins you start with each day – and then of course, when you get home, move all the pennies back in to your right pocket and start over again with your family.
You’ll be amazed and delighted when you see the effects of encouragement – it could very well transform your relationships!
