Develop The Habit of Appreciating Others
By Jack Canfield
New habits take 30 to 60 days to lock in. An Appreciation Scorecard is an easy way to build the habit of expressing your gratitude.
When I was working to consciously lock in this new habit, I carried a 3" x 5" card in my pocket all day. Every time I acknowledged and appreciated someone, I would place a check mark on the card.
I set a goal of appreciating 10 people every day. I would not go to bed without achieving my daily quota. I would appreciate my wife and children, write letters to my mother or stepfather, or e-mail my staff. I did this every day for 6 months, until I no longer needed the card as a reminder.
As we build the habit of appreciation, it helps to expand the circle of people whom we appreciate. Our society flourishes because of connections. We literally couldn't survive without other people. Nobody pumps their own petroleum, turns it into gas, and trucks it into their own town. Other people do it. The food we eat probably has 30 to 40 people involved in it before it gets to our tables. Although they may be strangers, the people who serve us by doing their part in making our society function deserve our thanks, too.
Build Your Appreciation Muscle
To build the habit of appreciation, I encourage you to keep a daily scorecard as I did.
Express your appreciation to at least 10 people a day, both individuals you know intimately, as well as virtual strangers who touch your life.
Experiment with the different forms of appreciation, and observe how much more deeply your appreciation is received when you find the right way to deliver it for each individual.
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God bless your family and your marriage.
Jim Stephens