I have done this activity in various forms and it continues to amaze me how something so ‘simple’ can have such a big impact.
Last week, the newly printed ‘you’re awesome’ stickers with some valuable time to acknowledge, connect and share with one another certainly shifted the energy and bought a boost to the room of over 200 teachers and SSO’s doing powerful but challenging work.
It’s not always the big accolades or awards that make a difference.
More often, it’s the random, unprompted boosts that get dropped amongst the chaos of life that short-circuit our brains’ hardwiring to look for danger, or interrupt our never-ending comparisonitis or swirling negativity. And lets face it there is enough fear, criticism and blame swinging around at the moment we may need to ‘balance’ it a bit.
You don’t need me to come and bring the structure of a workshop for the impact (although its pretty great and I would love to) A random “You’re awesome!”, when you least expect it, can be so much more powerful and validating than big grand gestures.
How many times have you thought someone has done a great job, has done something you appreciate, or has personality traits that you admire, but you’ve kept how you feel to yourself because you think of course they know how I feel?
News flash! Most people don’t actually know how we feel.
I get it, saying nice things about people can feel a bit awkward. Especially if the receiver doesn’t know how to accept a compliment. But validating people and being open about their positives is so incredibly important, and the best way of doing that is not by hoping they’ll pick it up through osmosis, but by saying it out loud.
Here’s the thing…. the more you do it, the easier it becomes!
This week, I’d love you to do something I often do in team-building workshops.
1. Grab a piece of paper and write down three awesome things about YOU (no, you are not up yourself for coming up with a handful of things you do well!)
2. Now think of three people you appreciate and value. In an email, a text, on a postcard, or by picking up the phone, tell them what makes them awesome.
The best thing about sending other people a bit of love is that it feels uplifting for YOU too.
Let me know how it goes, what the responses were, and how it was for you.
Every fortnight I send the Ignite community a personal note of encouragement – reflection, inspiration, stories, and sharing. It’s our way of helping you prepare for the week ahead.
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