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May
14
On the Lookout
Filed Under Ruminations
I just want to know one thing: Why is it so much easier to criticize than to compliment? Especially in a volunteer organization. Have you ever noticed how there are those who DO the work and those who “suggest and give feedback”. Yeah, right. Usually turns out that those “suggestions” and that “feedback” is nothing more than pure, unadulterated, self-serving criticism. Why is that? Somebody please explain it to me.
I’ve long believed that the more we appreciate, the more we’ll have to appreciate.
Let’s take a minute and broaden that to include relationships with people. Instead of finding fault (easy, apparently) and firing off an email, let’s try finding fabulous and firing off an email (surprisingly easy, too, once you get used to it).
When the children were little, to stay well, we stayed in during the cold winter months. As my way of getting out more, I started what I called my Paper Praise Practice. I’d read about people in the local newspaper who were doing something good, then I’d pen them a way-to-go note and mail it to them. (This was before days of internet and email. Sometimes it took some sure enough sleuth work to track down their mailing address.) As I put the stamp on the envelope, I felt better, and it was my hope that when they read the note, they felt better, too. Sometimes I sent postcards to brighten the day of the mail carrier. (Yes, they really do read postcards.) Along the way, I actually met some of the recipients - and they remembered the note. Some of ‘em even saved the note ’cause “it’s not every day you hear somebody say something good about you.”
Let’s change that. Right now. When the glass is half full, let’s notice who filled it up and thank them for doing it. When the glass is half empty, let’s appreciate whoever is responsible for us having a glass clean enough to drink out of.
Exit polls show that the number one reason folks leave volunteer organizations is because they are not appreciated. You want somebody to do something for nothing? Always point out what they do wrong. Yeah, sure, that makes sense.
Whether you’re paying them or not, one of the best ways to motivate, to keep people going strong is to compliment and appreciate. Even when they’re doing something wrong or something that needs improvement. How? Make a sandwich. Tell them something positive, then tell them 1-2 things they need to change, then end with at least one more positive comment about something they’re doing well. It’s as simple as that.
Go on out there and catch somebody doing something right today, and let them know it - especially if they’re doing the work on a volunteer basis and you or your family is benefitting from it. It’s a way to make sunshine on the cloudiest of days. And the cherry on top? It’s like a boomerang: you cannot say something good to or about somebody else without saying something good about yourself and feeling good in the process.
You just can’t.
Now, get on out there. Scoot.
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