In many ways one of the major determinants of the flow of appreciation from one to another, is also quite linked to what we read in books, articles, newspapers and other sources, what we watch and listen to TV shows, news channels, radio shows and other events, including musical concerts, rock shows, dance performances and the list goes on.
The more we seek, assimilate and receive good news, it stems a whole lot of positive energy in our state of being, conversations, actions and more importantly in being appreciative of situations and emphatically we demonstrate this enthusiasm by way of showering appreciation on others. Life takes a big leap into zest and remains there!
Out of the 4 possible tracks, the power of appreciation and the gains from it can never be overemphasized. As elucidated earlier in this note, sincere and honest appreciation is something which we all expect, anticipate and yearn, quite justly and deservingly. Further, receiving appreciation in as much abundance is an ingredient, innate in our persona and there is absolutely nothing wrong or erroneous in such a desire.
Receiving and giving genuine and legitimate appreciation is in a way, the lifeline of life itself. One tends to wonder what would be the state of mankind, if hypothetically even for a second we imagine a world that has evolved, with no appreciation at all from any quarter for deeds and successes. The very thought of such a world, is stifling and demotivating, for many of the inventions and technological improvements would not have been around to bless us to make life more enjoyable and progressive. Yes, such inventions and improvements possibly would not have made their way into our lives.
While it is said,
Necessity is the mother of invention, in my opinion for inventions and good work to multiply, appreciation would be the emotional oxygen
Some of the positive effects and impact of Authentic Appreciation:
It has also been ascertained including informal and researched sources that even the outstanding performers in the corporate world, best of sportspersons and athletes and for that matter in any field of activity, do require unadulterated and sincere appreciation to help them perform both at the current levels and also to enhance their performances to even higher and outstanding levels.
The need and the positive impact of constant appreciation is also realized, experienced and sought by all irrespective of the role, title, experience, level [junior, middle or senior], in any organization, institution or community.
Metaphorically, one seeks appreciation almost like when we look at a recent or a good old photo along with your friends, family, class mates, we tend to glance at ourselves first and then the rest. This is perhaps ingrained or wired at subconscious levels of the brain. In the same vein, team members directly or indirectly, verbally or non ‐ verbally look forward to be appreciated by their seniors in the midst of their colleagues/team members and tend to look for this and soak in its positive energy effects.
Some negative effects of Condemnation:
Self Application
Life is a series of choices! The choices of our options are being positive, indifferent or negative!! Being and becoming appreciative, of self and others around are clear choices available to us!!! However the discretion and the decision, in this choice making process is clearly left to our way of possessing the apt, ideal and positive motives, intentions, values, attitudes, behaviors and actions which would lead to being on the Appreciation pathway, otherwise we would set ourselves on a path of Condemnation of self and perhaps even of others.
As Stephen Covey remarkably quoted Viktor Frankl ,
Between Stimulus and Response, there lies the choice of choosing to be Proactive!
Thus the choices of being appreciative and therefore experiencing host of benefits of being positive, present as opportunities in everyday life and it is up to us to seize the moment [carpe diem] change our perspectives to be appreciative and be sincere and purposeful about it.
The first steps of being appreciative of situations and people around, starts with self. While receiving appreciation from others could be deserved if and when we receive, it is truly a bonus! However it is important for each one of us to discover the goodness and goldmine that is inherently available deep within us, in terms of our strengths, potential talents and be appreciative of the same. This is truly the beginning of the journey of building one’s self ‐ esteem and be a proud recipient of all its attendant emotional rewards.
The exploratory and appreciative understanding of oneself will to a large extent help us to gain confidence, stability, security, harmony, peace and health, which paves the way for being genuinely appreciative of others around us. When we breathe appreciation about ourselves, our small and big wins/deeds, love ourselves completely with all the strengths and the limitations, capabilities and vulnerabilities, joys and sorrows, peaks and valleys, nostalgia and future, past successes and current state of life and also embrace all these and much more with balance and equanimity, we would soar in bringing out not just our best but also the best in our spouses, kids, relatives, neighbors, colleagues at work, friends, class mates, strangers, cotravellers in the train or flight journeys and these sort of possible choices is infinite and endless.
Imagine a world where collectively all of us genuinely appreciate one another for the simple and exemplary behavior that we notice in self and others acknowledge and celebrate the small and big wins of others, the community at large and the world will be a much better place to live in. Stretching this hypothesis and dream, there would be plethora of discoveries, inventions, rich and enlivening possibilities. Further help, faith, trust and understanding will be available abundantly to our contemporaries and the posterity. Spirits of positivism, contagious enthusiasm, unconditional reaching out to others will be consistent phenomenon and the world will be largely bereft of spite, ego, massacres, destruction, hostility et al. This process of seeking positive and appreciative aspects and celebrating the same within ourselves and discovering the same constantly in others, will be a huge gift that we would be collectively present ourselves and to the larger world around us, which includes our dear and near ones and our colleagues and this gifting process would invaluably help the growth of self and others!
Coaching Application
I’ve an abundance mentality. When people are genuinely happy at the success of others, the pie gets larger Stephen R Covey
There are several means, tools and techniques, with which the essence and power of Appreciation can be incorporated in the Coaching sessions.