The Wall

What do I mean by "the wall"? Well the wall is a point that you reach when discouragement sets in because there are certain obstacles that have gotten in the way of forward progress. Everyone hits those walls and you need to know how to get past them. The "wall" can and will block forward progress indefinitely if you do not do some positive things to allow encouragement to flow and empower.

Here are 10 things you can do to get past "the wall" of discouragement:

1. Take a step away...do some R&R and then go back to the issue
2. Look at the wall of discouragement with others
3. Surround yourself with two or three positive people
4. Exercise
5. Ask the positive people to give feedback to your situation
6. Believe in yourself
7. Allow the encouragement of others to build your confidence
8. Ignore people who say it is impossible
9. Speak life-giving words to yourself
10. Face the "wall" and your fears

The power of encouragement is amazing. Famous people have experienced failure and have gotten back up to face another day because someone spoke words of encouragement. Let me speak some encouraging words to you. Deep within you there is someone ready for the challenge. Get up and move forward. Everything you need to succeed is already yours. Lay hold of it. Believe in yourself and overcome with the power of encouragement.

Be Encouraged,
Rick

No Permission Needed

Did you know that most people welcome a kind word of encouragement? I don't mean a word of instruction or a lecture. I mean a simple, kind word of encouragement. Let me give you an illustration. I am a diabetic. I try to keep my numbers in check because keeping my glucose numbers in check means the difference between keeping or losing my eye site. Some folks like to scare me about the disease. Some folks like to lecture me. What they don't know is I am already aware of the doom of diabetes if i don't take care of my numbers.

I try to work out daily. I ride my bike 6-12 miles a day. I watch what I eat. I watch my stress level because my sugar levels can elevate from intense stress. What empowers me are kind words that remind me that you are thinking about me and words that encourage me to keep taking care of myself. You may want to say, "I have been thinking about you and want you to know how important you are to me. Please let me know how I can encourage you on your journey with diabetes. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers."

You don't need my permission to encourage me because you have taken the right approach. Most people are very open to encouragement. They welcome encouragement. It's all in the way you approach and handle people. Here are 10 suggestions you may want to try when encouraging someone:

1. Speak words of affirmation

2. Don't lecture or preach

3. Don't judge

4. Know that your presence is enough

5. Show love

6. Show compassion

7. Drop sarcastic remarks...they are self centered and stupid

8. Try to imagine the other person's feelings

9. Be consistent with encouraging people

10. Be a safe place

People are in need of encouragement everywhere. Look for someone to encourage today. Be empowered to reach out to someone in need of your life-giving words. When you encourage others you change your world one person at a time. Before you know it you are changing your culture. So...GO! Someone needs your encouragement today.

Be Encouraged!
Rick