Pay Attention!

The ability to appreciate others really comes down to training ourselves to PAY ATTENTION!  It's so easy to go about our day and have all our attention fixed on us.  I think that is part of our survival mentality...looking out for ourselves.  Here are a few suggestions on how to effectively pay attention to others:

- Put Others First:  As we go about our day... continually look for opportunities to put others first.  By doing this the people around you will feel more appreciated and valued.

- Listen with Eyes and Heart:  Begin to use more than just your ears and brain to listen to those around you.  Let your eyes and heart enter the picture.  When we listen with our eyes and heart, it will become more clear who around us needs to be appreciated.  The little things people do will begin to be recognized and will no longer be overlooked.

- Hang Out:  It's amazing how just hanging out with someone, makes a person feel appreciated.  Take a few minutes each day and simply hang out with someone.  Talk less and ask more questions when you are with them.

This suggestions have been adapted from a wonderful book entitled, "Encouraging the Heart" by Kouzes & Posner.

Inspire Appreciation!