“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” – Voltaire

I have been sharing a series of blogs on the importance of gratitude in our personal and professional lives, and on the benefits of routinely recognizing the good things in our lives as well as saying thank you.

Let’s start with a short activity.  

• Consider the people around you right now.

• Think about the each one’s strengths each one has.

• Reflect on how their strengths contribute to you and your success.

Do they ask how you’re doing and really listen for the answer? Do they support your ideas and give you encouragement to see you through? Do they stay calm when you are stressed?  

The daily support of your family, friends, and coworkers may sometimes go unnoticed. But recognizing, and even more importantly, acknowledging their contributions can be a powerful act. So, keep your eyes open and actively look for excellence in others. Then tell them what you see and how they are making a difference in the world. 

When you take the time to appreciate and articulate the excellence you see in other people, it often shifts your perception. Look for the excellence in others, and please share with me what you discover.