Encouragement
July 28th, 2008 Posted in General, Leadership, Newsletter, No Complaining Rule“How do you know if a man needs encouragement? If he is breathing.”
-Truett Cathy, Founder, Chick Fil A Restaurants
With so many people in the world telling us we can’t succeed, we need to hear people telling us we can. I remember my high school English teacher telling me not to apply to Cornell University because they wouldn’t accept me and even if they did I wouldn’t be able to do the work. (It’s funny that I’m a writer now). I almost didn’t apply but a few days later I saw Ivan Foldfarb, a former teacher, in the hallway and asked him about Cornell. He said, “If you get in, then you go. You can do it.” His words made all the difference. I applied, was accepted and majored in Lacrosse :).
Too often we think it’s our role to inject a dose of “reality” into someone’s life. We think it’s our job to protect people from the pain of failure and defeat. We think we must point out how bad the economy is and how horrible the job market is and how the sky is falling. We think that dreams were meant for others but not for people like you and me.
I say there are enough pessimists and “realists” in the world. The world doesn’t need more negativity and impossible thinkers. The world needs more optimists, encouragers, and inspirers. The world needs more people to speak into the hearts of others and say “I believe in you.” “Follow your passion and live your purpose.” “If you have the desire then you also have the power to make it happen.” “Keep working hard.” “You’re improving and getting better. Keep it up.” “The economy is tough but you can still grow your business.” “The job market is not great but I believe you’ll find the right job for you.” “We’ve hit a lot of obstacles but we’ll get the project finished.” “Even if you fail it will lead to something even better.” “You’re learning and growing.”
When it comes to encouragement I know that everyone of us loves working for and with people who bring out the best in ourselves. We love being around people who uplift us and make us feel great. And while we’ll always remember the negative people who told us we couldn’t accomplish something, we will always cherish and hold a special place in our heart for those who encouraged us on the road to success.
Today I want to encourage you to be an encourager. So often the difference between success and failure is belief. And so often that belief is instilled in us by someone who encouraged us. Today decide to be that person who instills a positive belief in someone who needs to hear your encouraging words. Uplift someone who is feeling down. Fuel your team with your positive energy. Rally others to focus on what is possible rather than what seems impossible. Share encouragement. It matters and we all need it.
Stay Positive!
-Jon
www.JonGordon.com | www.NoComplainingRule.com | www.TheEnergyBus.com
12 Responses to “Encouragement”
By Dianna Walker on Jul 28, 2008
Although I have not read all of Jon’s articles, I have to admit this is one that has special meaning to me. I have met people who encouraged me to achieve in certain areas of my business, while there were others that asked me ‘why would I want to do that’. While trying to defend my actions, I realized that both helped me understand 1) why I wanted to achieve; 2) that by achieving, it raised my confident level and I felt better about myself.
I want to help others by giving them encouragement no matter if they are fellow business people or family members. I find as a whole I am a positive person. I always see the good in most things. Any advice is welcomed.
By Debbie F. on Jul 28, 2008
One hospital I worked at (which closed) the Chief Nursing Officer was my direct supervisor and this describes her style exactly. She was my “boss”, but also became my best friend.
I look forward to your weekly emails!
By Tomm Fennell on Jul 28, 2008
When I had an aneurysm the experts said “He will never walk or talk again” they put me in a basket and made me comforable” I still cannot walk or talk perfectly but I am no longer in the basket.
Before I had the aneurysm I could not walk or talk perfectly but the experts did not call me handicaped.
I continue to be a realist I realize that I am imperfect and perfectable. As long as I am a realistic I will continue to improve.
By Michele on Jul 28, 2008
Offer sincere compliments with a smile!
Watch what happens when you compliment or encourage a person…
With all of the negativity out there, it’s easy to be down. I am the bright energy passing it along to whomever I meet. Together we will make a difference.
Keep sending your positive emails!
By Holly Mayes on Jul 28, 2008
I feel like this article came out just for me. Just at the right time. I am a mother of two who has a career that has been made for me since the beginning of time. Or at least high school. I am 34 years old and going back to school to do what I have always wanted to do, which is photography. In this economy you couldn’t ask for a worse situation of eventually departing from a good paying job with benefits and retirement to open a business with nothing. It’s a ways down the road, but it’s the road I am going to take. This life isn’t a trial run, and you don’t get a second chance for do-overs. Kudos to this article. May everyone take the leap to be themselves.
By Ilene on Jul 28, 2008
Here comes another
Dear Jon letter,
I love your thoughts on encouragement which triggered some pretty deep residue from my emotional resevoir to once again, well up inside and finally be released.
The message you shared today is a simple but critical one in that it carries a key ingredient that most everbody needs in order to grow and thrive that being to be accepted and valued.
We carry and are weighted down
by memories of experiences from our past which too often paralyze us chipping away at our potential and making it difficult at best to succeed, or worse, unable to reach our full potential because of someone elses opinion that we are unable to reach our goals. I know this can create terrible suffering, depression, disfunction and dis-ease all of which has influenced me in creating my life, for better or worse.
The teacher, that listened to your concern at a critical juncture for you Jon, was a blessing in that you were given a strong and clear message that supporting and encouraging you to challenge yourself at a time when you were told by another teacher, you would not succeed and in fact would fail, if you were to challenge yourself by going to Cornell.
I think we have a responsability to ourselves and each other to encourage, enjoy, appreciate, support and applaud the inherant goodness, in each of us.
The critic looks for just that, which can be judged, rated, and evaluated. However,one must be mindful that there is always much more than meets the eye. I like to imagine the benefits in regognizing the potential and possibilities inherent in all living things.
I had one teacher that I too remember for sharing with me that I was “his kind of people”. I asked him what he meant by that and he replied, “I see your goodness”!
His words, will forever be etched in my heart and sustains me in my darkest hour.
Thank-you Jon,
for sharing your good work with all of us in the vast yet oh so small universe!
Namaste,
Ilene Lion
I believe, that we have a responsability to ourselves and each other to try to create an even playing ground. The rules are to encourage, support and create an environment that builds up and supports each player in the game of life. Life can be complicated and challenging. on the p
while other messages carry waves of negativity and doubt.
I have currents of residue from both psitive and negative elements running through me at all times.
The positive influence has always provided me
By Joe Sturniolo on Jul 28, 2008
I’m here to encourage you. My company ROAR is devoted to helping people find their passion and to roar. The subtext is awakening the lion within. Jon, you make a good point. It is time for all of us to turn off the press and try to concentrate on the positive. When we do so, we grow confident. Confidence is the biggest obstacle to success. Concentrate on only the positive things that happened to you today and last week and last month and you will have the energy and desire to go on. Liking golf, the secret is moving the ball forward. Unlike golf, the secret is not to keep score. Joe
By Mike on Jul 28, 2008
I’ve printed off Jon’s encouragement message so that I can refer to it when I need to.
It’s simple (in my humble opinion) but, always relevant.Particularly in today’s environment when many of us are faced with events that are potentially life changing and real tests of character in adversity.
My personal perspective is that recently I decided to load up my mortgage considerably and set up my own real estate brokerage working totally alone, and from home etc.
In such a situation one can become “socially isolated” if that is the correct term, and, one needs all the encouragement one can get.
I have been quite surprised at the “split” of people who are encouraging and those who question “why on earth would you do that,” “how will you do this or that,” “what if,” and so it goes on.
I’d have to estimate that the “split” is about 50/50 from my experience of encouragers and detractors but this can vary from day to day and the environment of people one happens to be in at a particular moment.
I always understood that we have choice in what perspectives we choose to adopt in our lives, and, whilst I feel certain that we all experience the “polarity” of positive and negative moods from time to time, it surprises me how widespread and prevalent the negative aspect exists in people.
By Michael on Jul 28, 2008
You know those encouragement cards you find in church pews? Well, I thought it might be nice to have encouragement cards designed for our Monday to Saturday pews - out there in the working world. So I designed some attractive photo cards based on a theme and packaged them in sets of 4. Then I just give the sets away when I feel moved to do so. The only catch is the people have to use the cards to encourage others. So I encourage them with one set and they encourage 4 more people with those. My little way of paying it forward. I’ve had a great response and ran out of my first two sets and I’m now working on a third and have 4 more themes in the works. It’s fun to encourage! Try giving something away - it might brighten someones day.
By Janee on Jul 29, 2008
Living means that you have chosen to be alive and it isn’t about surviving but rather about enjoyment. I believe that we incarnate to experience the beauty of life and that even when we are going through a rocky part of the river it never has the power to swallow us or drown us. In fact we are the ones charting our course through life and I was so happy to read the words of encouragement for I too live by the adage that my actions and words have the power to create the world I live in
Thanks Jon
By Christopher Miller on Jul 29, 2008
I was reading Jon’s latest eletter and, as usual, found it to be a good, positive boost in the middle of a work day. One thing I would suggest, though: I am a “realist” and don’t find it difficult or contradictory to also believe very strongly in people. Each of us, in my way of thinking, has incalculable value in this world - as the only one uniquely capable of making our contribution, walking our path. To me, this is one of those solid (real) truths that helps me to support those around me with sincerity and integrity.