We’ve all been there — feeling like something we’re doing is just not worth it. Here’s a self-care tip to help you keep going: Be an encourager.
Wait, isn’t this tip supposed to be something that helps you? Believe it or not, this tip DOES help you. Whatever you put out in the world tends to come back to you. So if you want to be encouraged, find someone else to encourage. This can take the form of a verbal comment, a post-it note, an email, a hug — whatever feels comfortable for you.
When people see you as positive and as an encourager, they will tend to give the same gift back to you. Maybe not right away, but it will happen.
Today I talked to two teachers. Both of them were people with whom I worked a few years ago, and both are in transition — trying to figure out their next steps in teaching. One was wondering about leaving the classroom for another position and the other was discouraged about their teaching life in general.
I don’t know that I had any great insight or inspiring “words of wisdom” for them. But what I do know is that I could give the one thing they needed most: I could listen. And as I listened, I could chime in here and there with encouragement: reminders of things that I know they do very well, things about them that make them a positive force for good in the world.
At the end of the phone calls, both thanked me for encouraging them. And it made me wonder — how many times do we think we need to “fix” something or give advice when all the other person wants is to be heard and to be encouraged?
What keeps me going: encourage others. Look for the good. Others will see that in you and return the favor.