Acknowledgement Gets It Done

by Michelle Sutton-Kerchner

In a world where distractions abound, acknowledgement often is limited. Share some and show some to yourself …

Phones in hand, eyes glued to screens, often people don’t acknowledge when we simply enter a room or pass them in a hallway. And, it is not unusual for praiseworthy deeds to go unrecognized. In our continuously absorbed world, we hunger for recognition. From a compliment on the Fitness Floor to a smile at passersby, we can inspire everything from stronger biceps to a brighter day in only a wink of time.

Encourage

Striving to establish healthy habits? Want to see a behavior repeated, including your own? Acknowledgement provides the reinforcing stimulus needed to make an action more likely to occur in the future. Consider it accountability with a compliment.

For example, a personal trainer holds a client accountable through the presence of an established appointment and watchful eye. Beyond accountability, that trainer’s positive feedback and ongoing commentary accelerate goals. The simple act of acknowledging another’s effort, including mistakes, increases his/her feelings of worthiness and capability. Be generous with praise to self and others. Give momentum to your purpose.

Celebrate

Make achievements special by sharing them. We cannot all be Olympians, but we can capture the experience.

Member Sonya Huhn enjoyed participating in her community’s yearly Olympic competitions. She lightheartedly considers herself a “nice little old lady who happens to swim faster than other old people.” With modesty, she received the competition’s gold and silver medals. In her credit, Sonya’s success is attributed to her dedicated swimming four times weekly at the Center.

Sonya’s biggest reward was not found in the winning itself but in her family’s reaction. “Sharing the news with my children and grandchildren was my greatest joy. Witnessing their delight and feeling their pride was the best acknowledgement,” describes Sonya who will be acknowledged officially during a community award ceremony.

To heighten the experience, Sonya created her own award ceremony. She invited the other winners to attend a dinner party at her home where she acknowledged them with fun little medals, friendship, and a meal.

Sonya feels very encouraged by her participation in the competition and the recognition gained. She paid it forward with her dinner party and helped others feel special as well.

Reward Yourself

We all need acknowledgement—for a job well done, a challenge overcome, a race completed. We crave recognition from loved ones, colleagues, and team members. Sometimes, we receive it. Other times, we go thirsty. All the time, we should allow self-acknowledgement. Fill your own cup because no one can run on empty.

Treat your victories as you would those of a friend. Here are some little kudos that replenish with big momentum. Use them with abandon. (Try to acknowledge successes with related rewards.)

• Buy new workout gear. Splurge for decent athletic socks.
• Schedule a massage.
• Add fresh fruit to your water bottle.
• Indulge in an hour of electronic-free quiet time.
• Reflect on your accomplishments. Journal the details for future inspiration.

While sharing credit with those involved in accomplishments—from a colleague to your swim instructor, give yourself a shout-out (if only in your mind). Acknowledge your worth, efforts, and time. Allow yourself to feel proud– and you’ll ensure more of which to be proud.

Image Credits

Pedestrians: pixabay.com/en/pedestrians-crossing-road-street-918471

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