Encouragement: The Most Important Skill

Encouragement is the most significant skill in any individual’s life as it walks along hand in hand during entire life span of every person. When we try to enhance the spirits of an individual to make him feel and realise that he/she is capable to do something concerning the task aimed for. This particular skill plays the most vital role in children with good personality and mature into what they want to be - to feel capable, to be resilient, to enjoy life and to be pleased etc.

As a plant needs water and sun light to grow, similarly every human being needs encouragement to become a respectable individual. In other words, encouragement in life is very essential as we may not die without encouragement, but certainly can wither. It is very easy to criticize but indeed it is very difficult to appreciate or encourage the other person’s efforts. During childhood parents rescue, shield and overprotect their children giving them the opportunity to learn many skills of life during their developmental stage so that they can withstand disappointments and are able to survive the ups and downs of the life.

Encouragement invigorates our spirits to overcome the difficulties that come across our way and that makes us proud of our own self as it reveals our character strength and assets that are the essential tools of building self-confidence and self-worth within us. Encouragement and success are the two different skills which are co-related: where encouragement is an act of noticing the effort and not the outcome there success is entirely the opposite, it’s the positive outcome of the sincere efforts we have put in. 

Knowing that our efforts are being appreciated is more important than being successful because it is the encouragement that takes away the encumbrances to move on and on with full enthusiasm as it is a universal truth that only success can beget success and if we need achievements to be successful, then we must get up again and again, each time we fall. Encouragement is always associated with every individual’s effort since birth. Just recall of those times when our parents encouraged us to crawl, walk, play or study and so many other things. Seeing the happiness on their faces, makes the child repeat it again and again. The key element to encouragement is to stop being judgmental. The important thing isn't the grades which one gets; it's the effort you put in while trying to accomplish any task.

By boosting up the spirits on noticing the efforts being taken by any individual, encouragement instills a desire to try harder and harder. For example: Children will try harder if their confidence is boosted otherwise this can be a difficult concept as if it means that more and more attention to the process is required.

1.        We accept them exactly as they are.

2.        They are allowed to make mistakes.

3.        We notice and appreciate their effort.

Encouraging is the most significant responsibility one can bear because it requires constant instilling up the sense of confidence in any individual. A child reacts sharply far more towards this skill than an adult.

The Importance of Encouragement and Support:

Even the most confident of us appreciate some support from time to time. A smile, a nod, a quiet word can lift our mood even in tense situations, may be introducing a little humour can improve our perspective. Support can lift our spirits and motivate us to continue or simply alleviate stress at difficult times.

Mentors and teachers always give us support and encouragement for they know what one is capable of and are also aware of when to be encouraged and how to be pushed a little harder towards our cherished desired goals. Mentors and teachers are skilled in their individual fields to share their knowledge while educating, which itself is a matter of pride.

Trust is a big factor in such relationships which influences the levels to support different matters of consideration. On being told that we are ready for the transformation as it is essential that we trust them enough to believe their reassurances and we always know that they look into our best interests at heart.

Family and partners always stand as a moral support. Their support may not be an educational one or a materialistic one, but still that can be very valuable in listening to us sympathetically, may be giving an advice originated from their love, concern, care and affection. Knowing that they are there, behind us encourages and gives the motivation to try harder for success. Children often find the support of their parents which encourages them with a confidence to try harder to prove how good they are in order to make their parents feel proud of them.

Similarly when an adult feels being loved and cared, it encourages him to cope up with any stress, strain or tension along the path towards success and also makes him feel brave enough to be able to tackle any sort of the obstacles coming in his way.

Today, every individual finds himself in an uncertain economy, close-fitting budgets, greater work expectations and less commitment to those opportunities shared in everyday life. Encouraging words which are the powerful tools may motivates or tear him down.  Therefore sometimes we should allow emotions to actually gratify or even strengthen our relationships as these are the greatest opportunities to ignite even greater passion. As time plays a big role in achieving recognition, a generic thank you letter written are like missed opportunities that can develop a good long term relationship with the employees.

Successful people don’t wait to say the things they need to express for great work instead they express it day-to-day through the important assignments, public praise and also find unique personal ways to indicate it to their subordinates. Employees stay longer and loyal when there are career development opportunities. It also expresses the value that we have for their future. We should all work to develop our staff with the right balance of feedback and recognition for it is because of those happy and dedicated employees that takes your company and leadership to new statures and you cannot afford to ever losing them?

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Even if you do well to them, you are accused of selfish ulterior motives. Still this should not stop us from doing good deeds, instead should be encouraged to do more good because it is a universal truth that if you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. No doubt, the good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow but that shall transform you into a real good personality. 

Our children are the best.  We are in a habit of pointing out their faults and problems or give them instructions and advises. Have we ever thought of even praising them of their good deeds, behaviour, their beauty or successes?  What do we say to our children no matter at what age, when they walk out the door?  Be careful? Do your best. Don’t you forget to eat your lunch or your books?  Have we ever said "You're a beautiful person? I am proud of you. You are the best child God has given me" For a growing or a grown up child, it is difficult to believe when we praise him or her, but for a two-year old, there is no doubt when we hold out your hand and tell him they yes he can walk.  Though it can be trickier encouraging older children or spouses or adult friends, still giving encouragement, like other forms of love and care sometimes does require creativity. . . . Because an overdose of true love has no adverse side effects.

Without encouragement, life would soon feel pointless and burdensome. Without encouragement, we can be overwhelmed by the very real pains of our lives. Without encouragement, we feel unloved. Without encouragement, we begin to think that God is a deceiver or is unconcerned with our welfare. Encouragement gives us the will to carry on. It is a glimpse of the bigger picture. It can always prevent burn-out.

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