I love to receive encouragement of all kinds, don’t you? Encouragement comes in many forms: a thank you note, positive words, a tip that moves my idea forward, a hug, a smile…

In an earlier post I compared motivation and encouragement. As part of the research for that post, I asked some of the incredible ladies I worked with to answer the questions: What makes you feel motivated? What encourages you?

I so appreciate their honest feedback. They mentioned things I do well and areas where I can improve. I took the liberty to group their answers into general categories that help me remember the ideas. I learned a lot from what they shared; I think you will also!

Demonstrate Interest

• A genuine interest about what is happening in life
• A genuine desire to understand – ideas/thoughts
• Listening
• Quality time together one-on-one working on character issues
• Confrontation/correction done in love
• Grace extended rather than judgement for mistakes/errors

Believe

• Help with specific areas of need: organization, personal discipline
• Encouragement to develop potential in new areas
• Belief in, promotion of, resources for visions/dreams/projects

Express Appreciation

• Receiving words of affirmation, “please” and “thank you”
• Personalized and informed recognition given for a job well done, effort expended, and/or talents
• Sincere appreciation/value/importance expressed (spoken, note, email) for work
• The opportunity to see specific/useful results and impact from efforts
• Recognition of growth/progress in personal/professional areas

Add Personal Touch

• Vulnerability on the part of the supervisor
• A hug or pat on the back
• Small personalized gifts – coffee, coke zero, chocolate 🙂
• Prayers

I am very grateful for the encouragement I have received from others when I needed it. I want to get better at encouraging others. This list gives me lots of ideas… I am sure I can find something here that I can use each day to encourage someone.

What would you add to this list? What encourages you?