Do you love to receive compliments? It is great for your self-esteem and just plain feels good to hear someone voice their thanks, respect, or admiration. It only takes a few kind words to lighten your moods and give you the strength to push forward with your head held high. Compliments reinforce that you are doing something right and your efforts are being appreciated. Sadly, people are often quick to criticise and terribly slow to compliment. It only takes a moment to notice something small about someone but those few words can certainly make a difference in that person’s day.
Family Compliments
Showing your appreciation to those you love has a dual purpose: it shows how grateful you are to have them in your life while at the same time acknowledging the special work they
have done.
Here are a few examples of ways to express your gratitude:
- “Thanks for clearing the dishes. You did a great job!”
- “I really appreciate your help with dinner tonight! It was a wonderful meal.”
- “I am so thankful for your love and support. You’ve really helped me get through a tough day.”
Children and adults alike are encouraged to help more if they are complemented and receive a positive acknowledgement. Hearing compliments on a regular basis also teaches children how to appreciate the people in their lives.
Compliments for Coworkers
There are two types of managers in business: one who appreciates their workers for a job well done and another who just expects the job to get done without any acknowledgment. Obviously, we all need to treat each other with the respect and dignity we deserve!
Here are some examples of how to express gratitude at work:
- “Thanks for staying late today. I really appreciate how hard you have been working lately.”
- “Well done, our client really loved the report you wrote.”
- “I really appreciate you taking the time out to help me with this. It means a lot to me!”
- Drop a ‘thank you’ card on a staff member’s desk; a birthday card, or give an hour or two off when an employee has ‘gone over and above’ expectations.
Adding a personal touch to the office by giving compliments can be a huge motivator. Your staff or work colleagues will trust and respect you far more than anyone else in the office.
Compliment Strangers
Today very few people take the time to strike up a conversation with a total stranger. We must remember that people are brought into our lives every day for a variety of reasons, and you can deeply affect someone’s mood just by being nice to them.
Of course, you probably should not divulge your entire life’s story the first time you meet someone, but what you can do is notice something good about a person and tell them. I challenge you to compliment a person (lady) on the outfit she is wearing – ‘Gosh that colour looks so great on you!’ Watch her eyes light up. Show your gratitude for meeting this person because this experience just might teach you something new about yourself.
Here are a few examples of things you can look for to give an honest compliment about:
- Is the person a sharp dresser?
- Is he a genuinely nice person to others?
- Are the person’s children very well-behaved?
- Did you see the person do a kind act for someone else?
The key to expressing your gratitude is opening your eyes to seeing the simple gifts in your day. By paying attention to the actions of those around you, you’ll not only help others gain confidence, but you’ll become known as the trustworthy go-to guy or go-to gal.
Make a goal to compliment at least one person each day. You will start appreciating the small things in life and you will brighten someone’s day at the same time.