July 22, 2008
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In This Issue
Featured Article: Focus on Who They Are
Audio Tip
Announcements
Speaking Schedule
Samantha's Corner
Greetings!
Welcome to another issue of Appreciation in Action. I hope you and those around you are taking time to count your many blessings…there’s so much good stuff for each of us to focus on, if we choose to do so!
Things on this end are getting interesting and exciting as we prepare for the arrival of our new baby girl – due in mid-August! Thanks for being on my newsletter list; I’m grateful to connect with you this way…every two weeks now.
With Appreciation,
Focus on Who They Are
Would you like to be more effective at appreciating the people around you?
An important distinction we can make in our desire to appreciate the people around us more successfully is to remember the difference between recognition and acknowledgement.
Recognition is about rewarding the actions and results of others. It’s important, as most of us like to be recognized (even if we get a little uncomfortable or embarrassed about it) and many of us notice (or get upset) when we don’t get recognized, especially if we think we deserve it.
As important as recognition is, it’s also limited for a few reasons. First of all, it’s always past based. Second of all, not everyone responds to or is motivated by recognition in the same way. Third and most importantly, it’s always about results, what people have done, and what they’ve accomplished, not necessarily who they are.
Acknowledgment on the other hand, includes recognition, but can be much broader, personal, and ultimately powerful. An acknowledgement is any act of appreciation for another person. A performance award is an acknowledgement (based on results), but so is a smile (which may or may not be based on anything specific). Telling your spouse or child they did a good job cleaning up the house is also an acknowledgment (based on something they did), but telling them that you love them and how grateful you are to have them in your life can be done for any reason and at any time.
If we want to have the people around us feel appreciated, it’s important for us to focus more on who they are as human beings, what we appreciate about them personally, and not simply focus on what they accomplish or don't. And, sometimes the most important time for us to acknowledge others is when they fail or make a mistake. While we can’t always acknowledge the outcome, we can almost always acknowledge the effort.
Utilizing the power of appreciation and becoming a master at the art of appreciating others is about us both re-actively recognizing the great things that people do and more importantly pro-actively acknowledging them for who they are, what qualities they have, and how they positively impact our lives and others simply by being who they are.
Action: What You Can Do
Think of three or more people in your life who you interact with on a regular basis. For each person, think of something specific you can acknowledge them for – not something they’ve done or accomplished, but something about who they are that you appreciate. It could be their attitude, their effort, their commitment, their friendship, their humor, their honesty, or anything else…feel free to come up with more than one thing, as I’m sure there are many.
Take some time today to let each of these people know and to acknowledge them personally, not because they did anything to “deserve” it, but simply because you feel moved let them know how they impact you in a positive way. Have fun with it and see what happens!
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Remember the three key elements to effectively acknowledging others - genuine, specific, and personal! And, it's usually best to do it in person if you can - face to face, eye to eye, and heart to heart! If you have to do it by phone, card, or email - that can work too. For some specific ideas about how to acknowledge people, click here to listen
to a special audio tip from me.
Book Recommendation:
Poetry as Spiritual Practice,
by Roger McDowell
I think you’ll enjoy this one-of-a-kind new book by Roger McDowell, POETRY AS SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Reading, Writing, and Using Poetry in Your Daily Rituals, Aspirations, and Intentions. Making poetry an essential part of daily rituals, aspirations, and intentions can help put you on the path to greater meaning, growth, and peace in your life. Check out this wonderful new book and take part in the launch campaign that Robert has put together. You’ll get free bonuses from over 80 other authors, including me. Click the link below for more information:
www.poetryasspiritualpractice.com/promotion
Focus on the Good Stuff – In the Media:
Check out the clip below of a TV interview I did a few months ago with the Fox station in Orlando, FL when I was down there for an event. If you enjoy this and would like to see some other recent media clips, feel free to visit www.focusonthegoodstuff.com/media.html
Below is a list of where I’m speaking for the next few months. Most of these events are for my corporate or organizational clients (i.e. not open to the public). The events listed in bold text below are at bookstores, churches, and other public venues which anyone can attend. I would love to see you or people you know at one of my public events. And, if you live in any of the cities where I will be traveling and want to contact me about setting up a speaking engagement for your group while I’m in town, feel free to contact me. Thanks! For more detailed information about my public events, feel free to visit:
www.focusonthegoodstuff.com/publicevents.html
7/23/08 – Concord, CA
7/24/08 – South San Francisco, CA
8/14/08 – San Francisco, CA
8/15/08 – San Francisco, CA
8/21/08 – San Francisco, CA
9/4/08 – San Ramon, CA
9/9/08 – Los Angeles, CA
9/11/08 – San Francisco, CA
9/18/08 – San Francisco, CA
9/25/08 – Los Angeles, CA
10/4/08 – Cincinnati, OH
10/5/08 – Los Angeles, CA – public event (Agape)
10/6/08 – Los Angeles, CA
10/7/08 – Los Angeles, CA
10/14/08 – Martinez, CA
10/15/08 – San Francisco, CA
10/18/08 – Oakland, CA
10/23/08 – San Francisco, CA
10/26/08 – Palo Alto, CA – public event (Unity Palo Alto)
10/30/08 – San Francisco, CA
Again, for more detailed information about my public events, feel free to visit:
www.focusonthegoodstuff.com/publicevents.html
"Hi! Make sure to appreciate and acknowledge the people around you. Thanks for being on my daddy’s e-zine list."
– Samantha Benoit Robbins
For more photos of Samantha, click here.
