I often write about discouragement, so it’s only fitting that I write about encouragement. At least, I’ll share how I encourage others. I can’t seem to generalize when it comes to encouragement. Because of that, I’ll only focus on some of the ways I encourage others. I have a number of them.
I have a number of them because the way I encourage a person depends on the person. For instance, several of my friends are participating in NaNoWriMo. I encourage some of those friends by pestering them as only I can pester them. They eventually curse me for harassing them, which only proves that I’ve successfully completed my encouragement mission. Some of my other friends receive interesting articles or chibified versions of themselves. Others receive a direct message on Twitter, a message on Facebook, or an email. Still others receive a phone call or a Skype chat.
The secret with all those methods is paying attention to people and their interests and activities. I’m not always very good with names, but I am good with details. I arm myself with those details when determining the best method of encouragement or – dare I say it – engagement. I let people know I’m thinking of them, not with some cheesy card or flippant remark but with relevant messages, drawings, and articles. I let them know I’m there with and for them through the good and the bad times.
How do you encourage others? How do you like to be encouraged?
Photo: Sarah Bresnahan (CC BY SA 2.0)
ginidietrich says
As one of those friends you “pester,” keep it up! I will never curse you for it.
Erin F. says
ginidietrich How goes NaNoWriMo?
Did you get your turkey yet? (Yes, I watched today’s video. I love using teasers. I need to think of a question for belllindsay.)
ginidietrich says
Erin F. No, not yet! I’m still working! ARGH!!!
Erin F. says
ginidietrich Uh-oh. Mr. D to the rescue?
If it makes you feel better, I’m working, but…it’s on art. I don’t know if that counts as work per say.
ginidietrich says
Erin F. I got to the grocery store and received an email from a client titled EMERGENCY. So I managed that while I shopped. 🙂
Erin F. says
ginidietrich You have mad skills.
belllindsay says
Erin F. ginidietrich Nooooooooo!!!! *panic stations* 😉
Erin F. says
belllindsay ginidietrich Haha!
I actually have thought of a question, but I’ll wait to ask it until the office is open. You all can fight over who gets to answer it.
ginidietrich says
Erin F. belllindsay I think the question should go to Lindsay. If you need help, let me know!
Erin F. says
ginidietrich belllindsay The question shall pass to her then.
belllindsay says
Erin F. ginidietrich belllindsay Way to throw me under the bus Gini! LOL Erin, she knows how *koff* much I enjoy being in front of the camera! 😀 😀
Erin F. says
belllindsay ginidietrich I thought the case might be such. If it makes you feel better, I used to dread the camera, too. I still have to take a deep breath before I start recording them. I subsequently delete the large inhale in iMovie. :))
Where’s John_Trader1? I just used his word.
John_Trader1 says
Erin F. belllindsay ginidietrich Outstanding use of the word EF! 🙂
rdopping says
I simply ask them to go see what ginidietrich does. 😉 that’s encouragement enough.
Erin F. says
rdopping ginidietrich Gini is a great example to follow, so it’s good to send people her way.
ExtremelyAvg says
You encourage me by coming over to my blahg and leaving wonderful comments. I appreciate it. You Rock! (and presumably paper and scissors, too, when the need arises)
Erin F. says
ExtremelyAvg Haha! And your comment has encouraged me. See how that works? 🙂
KDillabough says
Encouraging others is my daily ‘thang’ (to take a page from our friend Brian ExtremelyAvg below in the slahng. It’s both an inherent part of who I am, an occupational hazard and, in fact, a large part of my business. How do I do it? By getting people to see their own inherent strengths, getting them to believe in themselves, supporting them through their journey, picking them up when they’re down, bringing them down when they’ve puffed up too high…I say I’m like (trademark word here) Alka Selzer…I provide relief. A pat on the back, kick in the shins, objective neutral perspective, tough task master, mentor, muse…heck, all round relief providing encourager. Cheers! Kaarina
Erin F. says
KDillabough And you, my friend, are very good at what you do. Thank you again for the chat today. ExtremelyAvg