Overcoming Fear With Encouragement

Fear is paralyzing. I have watched people freeze with fear and not accomplish their goals. Fear of anything can cripple and conquer the human spirit. There have been times when I have almost given up because of fear. There is one ingredient that will help anyone overcome fear. You guessed it...encouragement.

I love inspirational quotes. There have been many entrepreneurs who have looked fear in the eye and have excelled because they refused to listen to discouraging words. Steve Jobs, the co founder of Apple, looks at life from different angles. His company would have never made it if he were willing to submit to fear. Read his quote about life:

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Words of encouragement help people excel. Words of encouragement help people overcome obstacles that may have caused some to stop trying. Whatever your fear is, look at it through the eyes of encouragement. I have diabetes. I can fear it and die or embrace it and live. By being encouraged to do right things like exercise and watch what I eat I can overcome and excel past diabetes. I know one day I will die. Welcome to life. I want to look at death as a gateway to a better future.

Let me encourage you today. Live life without feeling paralyzed by fear. Take hold of the fear that is taking hold of you...look it in the eye...breathe deep...and welcome the opportunity to excel.

Be Encouraged,
Rick

The Power of Presence

Encouragement comes in different ways. You don't have to say much to encourage someone. Many times what is needed to encourage someone else is just your presence. A hand on the shoulder or a pat on the back letting someone know that you are there for them is enough to encourage the heart.

I have always believed that a person knows when they have messed up. It doesn't take a long lecture to let someone know that they are in trouble. The real question is, "How do you encourage the heart for transformation?" One key answer is the power of presence.

 A minister had been called to a parishioners home. The minister dreaded the visit because the family had just lost a teenage son to a horrible car accident. The minister did not know what to say because the parishioner had been a long-time friend. When the minister knocked, the parishioner opened the door, looked at the minister, and smiled with a sense of relief. The minister had not spoken a word. The minister had with him his favorite pillow indicating to the parishioner that he would be with him for as long as he was needed. The minister sat with the parishioner and the family for hours, not really saying a word.

Later that evening the family told the minister that he was such a great source of encouragement. How could the man be a source of encouragement when he hadn't said much the entire evening? Simple...the power of presence. You don't have to say much to encourage someone. Just be there. Your presence will bring encouragement and assurance that someone cares.

So let me ask you, who have you encouraged lately? You don't have to look far to see someone who needs encouragement. Try looking beyond yourself. I know that you will find someone who needs to be encouraged. Take the challenge and change your world one person at a time through the power of encouragement.

Be Encouraged,
Rick

Encouraging Your Network

I have always been taught that you are no more effective than the leaders you put around you. If you want results you have to put the right people in the right places. You must focus on your leaders in order for your leadership to be effective. Your leadership influence will grow as you encourage the leaders around you. Some on your team will receive the encouragement. Some on your team will NOT receive your encouragement. It is important for your leaders to receive your encouragement so you can continue holding the tension of leadership.

In this blog I want to to discuss simple ways to encourage your leaders and simple ways to deal with those who will not receive your encouragement.

Ways To Encourage Your Leaders:

1. Recognize hidden potential...acknowledge giftedness and empower the nurturing of growing potential to a new level.
2. Allow people freedom to work in their giftedness.
3. Make room for growth - don't be afraid to empower the RIGHT people.
4. Walk with people in their discouragement, but please don't preach.
5. Let your leaders talk through their own discouragement with you.
6. TRUST your leaders, and let them know that you trust them.
7. Reward your leaders - find what they like and bless them.
8. Invest in your leaders - investing in your leaders with constant words of encouragement will allow your leadership influence to expand.
9. Invest again - always give development opportunities to your leaders.
10. If you can, pay them well.

Dealing With People Who Refuse Your Encouragement:

1. Be patient.
2. Cultivate the relationship by investing encouraging words through opportunities for growth and honest but encouraging evaluation.
3. Keep trying.
4. Embrace the "Maverick" and allow for out-of-the-box thinking and approaches.
5. If all else fails it may be time for a career path change for the person who refuses to be encouraged.

Is it time to encourage your leaders? Open your eyes and seize the opportunities.

Be Encouraged!
Rick