One of the first motivational speeches I can ever remember was delivered by my third grade teacher. It may not have felt like it, but it was a gift of encouragement. I do not remember what I was working on, but I do remember the message.
“Mr. Akers, can’t never did anything!”
—Mrs. Aikens
I am sure Mrs. Aikens was not the first to utter these words, but I am giving her credit for them. These words may not have been original, but they have stuck with me. You too may have had someone who similarly encouraged you to press on, and fight through challenges and disappointments.
“One of the greatest gifts we can give another person is the gift of encouragement.”
— Impactful Notes
Encouragement is the art of inspiring the courage within the human spirit to take action. Encouragement is the fuel to move someone towards who they can be, and who God intended them to be. Encouragement wraps hope up like a pill, and pushes us through pain, adversity, disappointment, and illness. Encouragement instills purpose to live beyond what is good for me and to think about what is good for many. And in those grief and sorrow filled moments of life, encouragement soothes the soul.
Great leaders are great coaches, and great coaches are great encouragers.
“Great coaches take players to places they could not go on their own.”
—Larry Stillman
Studies conclude we have an encouragement void.
- According to Gallup, the lack of encouragement is at the heart of employee disengagement. One study concluded that 67% of people don’t get thanked by their boss in a year.
- Relationships improve and performance rises when the ratio of encouragement to negative feedback is at least 3 to 1.
- Studies of successful and lasting marriages found the ratio of positive to negative feedback was 5 to 1.
- The 2013 Gallup Student poll reports 46% of students feel stuck and discouraged.
- The current millennial generation is exhibiting increased stress and anxiety, along with signs of depression.
What impact would we have on the people we love, lead, and coach if we were more encouraging?
What impact would you experience if you were receiving more encouragement?
“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.”
—Yehuda Berg
Research shows it takes 16 exposures to an idea or concept, on average, before you are able to incorporate a new idea into your body of thought. This is precisely why encouragement is like a shower - it is a good idea to take one every day. Encouragement requires effort, practice, and discipline.
Great encouragers are great coaches, and great coaches are great leaders.
Raise your encouragement game. Encourage those around you, and surround yourself with people and resources that encourage you.
Here are two resources from Impactful Notes to help you raise your encouragement game. Just click on the links below.
- Top 10 Encouragement Quotes - you can share and use to encourage and inspire.
- 5 Powerful Ways to Use Encouragement - these will raise your encouragement game.
What is the first motivational speech you remember?