Entrepreneurship

Praise Others and Be Happy: The Power of Genuine Appreciation…

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In our pursuit of happiness, we often forget one of the simplest yet most effective tools at our disposal – praising others. Not only does it have the power to brighten someone’s day, but it also has a profound impact on our own well-being.

So how to get the best effects of genuine and down-to-earth appreciation, and how it can strengthen relationships and foster a more positive environment?

The Magic of Praise

When we genuinely praise others, we create a ripple effect of positivity. It’s like spreading sunshine on a gloomy day. Complimenting someone on their accomplishments, big or small, can make them feel valued and acknowledged. This, in turn, strengthens the bond between individuals, whether in personal or professional settings.

Genuine Appreciation Matters

While offering praise is essential, it must be authentic and sincere. People can sense when praise is insincere or forced. Authentic appreciation comes from a place of honesty and recognizes the unique qualities or achievements of the person. It’s about acknowledging their efforts and celebrating their successes.

The Power of Down-to-Earth Appreciation

Being down-to-earth in our praise means keeping it simple and genuine. It’s about recognizing the person’s worth without any ulterior motives. A heartfelt “great job” or “you did amazing” can go a long way in making someone’s day. Remember, it’s not about the grand gestures, but the sincerity behind the words.

Self Benefits

Praising others doesn’t just benefit the recipient; it also has a positive impact on you. When you spread positivity, you create a more harmonious and uplifting environment. Additionally, expressing genuine appreciation can boost your own mood and sense of well-being. It fosters a culture of kindness and gratitude that ultimately contributes to your own happiness.

In the end, incorporating genuine and down-to-earth praise into our interactions can be a powerful tool for creating happiness, both for ourselves and others. It strengthens relationships, fosters positivity, and contributes to a more fulfilling and joyful life. So, let’s make it a habit to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of those around us. Remember, a little praise goes a long way!

Invest in Work Relationships That Help You Feel Fulfilled…

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Relationships are a big part of being happy at work. Whether your job is demanding or mundane, you’re more likely to feel fulfilled if you regularly spend time with colleagues who support you and help you create a sense of purpose.

Think through your values (who you are) and objectives (what you want to do). Then review your calendar for the coming month, and consider which events, lunches, and coffee meetings bring you closer to your objectives and which don’t. Do you thrive when interacting with people who are upbeat? Analytical? Calm? Ambitious? Are you collaborating with people who share your values? Of course, you can’t control every facet of your schedule, but when possible, prioritize working and spending time with colleagues who help you feel fulfilled — and minimize interactions with people you find depleting.

Keep thinking about how you can make small adjustments to your calendar so that you’re investing in the right relationships.

To Deal with Distractions, Retrain Your Brain to Focus…

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Focusing is hard — and blaming that on the constant distractions around us is easy. But trying to get rid of distractions isn’t enough to fix the problem. We also have to retrain our brains to concentrate.

For example, when your work is interrupted by email, the real issue isn’t email; it’s that being tethered to your inbox makes you expect an interruption every few minutes. To help your brain relearn to focus, try “single-tasking”: Open only one window on your computer screen, or give your full attention to a single task at a time.

Also, practice noticing when your attention veers off course and then gently guiding it back to what you’re doing. If you think of something important while you’re doing focused work, jot it down on a notepad and come back to it later. Practicing attention management like this will build your “attention muscle,” which will give you greater control over distractions.

Don’t Have One To-Do List — Have Three…

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A to-do list can help you stay organized and focused, but it can also become overwhelming when it gets too long and you’re not sure what to tackle next. Try keeping three lists — and a calendar.

To start off, think about all of the tasks assigned to you. Which of them truly have to get done (chances are, some don’t)? And which are truly urgent? On the first to-do list, write down your projects that are important but aren’t time-sensitive. On the second, write the things that are important and need to get done today. 

The third list is a not-to-do list, to remind you which things aren’t worth your time and which can be done by someone else. Then use the calendar to block out time for each important task according to its deadline. Once you get control of your priorities, you’ll feel liberated to focus on what really matters to you.

To Make Networking Less Exhausting, Bring a Talkative Colleague…

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Networking can be good for your career, but introducing yourself to a roomful of people can also be draining. The next time you attend a conference or professional happy hour, consider bringing along a coworker to help. The two of you can divide and conquer, meaning you’ll each talk to different people and then share notes. That way you’ll both expend less energy while still gathering a large number of contacts by the end of the night.

Choose a colleague who is more extroverted than you and who gets excited by socializing with others. Come up with a plan for who will talk to whom. And remember that it’s OK to take a break during the event to restore your energy. Even if it’s just a few minutes long, it might give you the boost you need to get back to making small talk.

Leaders Need to Learn How to Take Criticism…

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If you’re in a leadership position, you need to know how to take criticism well. Being resilient will help you stay focused on what the company needs, rather than on the naysayers.

One strategy is to brainstorm several ways to respond to criticism and write them down for reference. It can be hard to know what to say at the moment, so general responses will ensure you have something ready. They could include: “Thank you for sharing your point of view. I’d like to consider it more and get back to you” or “Let me repeat what you said, to make sure I understood you.” Another good strategy is to remind yourself that the criticism may be aimed at your role rather than at you personally. If you’re the head of product, for example, it’s possible that the head of sales will always clash with you, no matter who has the job.

Distancing yourself from criticism this way can help you think through what was said — and what the criticism is really about.

Digital Polling Can Get Your Team Aligned on Strategy…

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When leadership teams are misaligned on a strategy, sometimes it’s because people disagree with it but hesitate to say so (particularly if the boss is present). For example, they may voice their support for an initiative in the planning meeting but find reasons not to commit resources to it later on.

One solution to this misalignment is anonymous, real-time digital polling. The next time your leadership team discusses a strategic move, don’t ask people whether they agree with it. Instead, direct attendees to a polling platform where they can vote on the initiative from their phones or laptops. If the meeting is about, say, new growth innovation, ask everyone to vote on what percentage of profits the firm should invest.

After the votes are cast, display the data for the group to see; you could also ask people to explain their reasoning. Remember, the goal isn’t to squash disagreements — it’ to surface them so that the team can have a richer, more productive discussion.

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