possibility…

Make someone happy

Think about the people in your life and the positive attributes you’ve observed. Most of us have no difficulty listing the positive characteristics of our friends and colleagues. But how often do we tell them?

I first tried this change-ability tip in a coaching program I was developing for recent graduates of university/training programs. I wanted a way to help people recognize their strengths and value. I came across a tool called the The Reflected Best Self Exercise at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business–Center for Positive Organization Scholarship. I modified this tool and developed an activity where my coaching clients ask people in their life (must be people they trust) to write down their strengths and positive attributes. I asked them to contact at least 10 individuals … colleagues, friends, family members, neighbours, etc.  Soliciting feedback from people in different areas of your life will produce interesting variations.

I always try exercises before I ask others to do them and found this an amazingly powerful tool! Some of the people I asked to give me feedback actually thanked me for providing an opportunity to tell me my strengths! Wow!

Try this exchange with people you feel comfortable to provide positive feedback only (most of us can handle digging up the negative stuff ourselves!). You can repay the favour. It might help you see strengths that surprise you. Also, be on the lookout for times in your life when this happens naturally. Last Christmas, a person I know wrote a wonderful note to accompany the jar of homemade jam she gave to me. I keep this note near and read it ofen… it continues to give me enormous pleasure and strength. Thanks, E.B.!

Never forget that we have the power to  make an incredible difference in people’s lives … as they can in ours. We just need to figure out how to make it happen. Let me know how this tip works for you.