Encouragement Defined
To give courage to; to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; to raise, or to increase, the confidence of; to animate; en hearten; to incite; to help forward; — the opposite of discourage.
- Encourage suggests the raising of one’s confidence especially by an external agency – the teacher’s praise encouraged the student to greater efforts, I encourage my athlete son to compete in the race.
- Inspirit, somewhat literary, implies instilling life, energy, courage, or vigor into something – patriots inspirited the people to resist, the pep talk inspirited the weary team to victory.
- Hearten implies the lifting of dispiritedness or despondency by an infusion of fresh courage or zeal – a hospital patient heartened by good news, praise given to the young man heartened him to a new level.
- Embolden implies the giving of courage sufficient to overcome timidity or reluctance – emboldened by her first success, she tried an even more difficult climb, her mother emboldened her to sing for the guests.
We believe that stories touch and encourage.
Anyone can encourage no matter what age or background.
How to Encourage
Encouraging someone is easy – it doesn’t take money or time and can be done by anyone, anywhere.
Remember what it felt like when someone said to you “Job well done!”or “Thank You” or “Fantastic Effort.” I am sure it encouraged you; in whatever it was that you were doing.
When a negative word is spoken to you such as “You’ll never be good at anything” I’m sure this didn’t encourage you at all! In fact the effects of the negative power of the spoken word in our personal lives can ripple far beyond us to affect everything and everybody.
Our words can destruct or construct, be positive or negative, so remember:
- Build people up and speak encouraging words. It not only affects them but your words will affect the people and the world around them.
- Choose words that will build self-esteem and confidence, build relationships and build possibilities.
- Choose to speak words of affirmation, encouragement, love, acceptance and appreciation.
- Just as negative words have a ripple effect so do positive words.
- Look for the positive aspect at all times.
Use wisdom when speaking to others; maybe take a moment to ask yourself “Is what I have to say going to encourage this person?” Be sensitive to the person whom you are directing your words to and choose your words carefully.
A Little “Thank You” Means So Much
“Thank you” is two simple words that can be so powerful and encouraging. A simple thank you encourages others by letting them know what they have done is meaningful and worth while. You are acknowledging that persons contribution and recognising that they are making a difference.
“Thank you” can motivate, validate and give positive reinforcement.
Increase the number of times you use these two words daily and you will be making a difference to someone!
Other great words that we can speak to offer encouragement is saying “Well Done” or “Congratulations”.
Words of encouragement at the right time can make the difference between “keeping going” and “giving up”.
Tips
There are various ways that we can encourage others and we hope that you find some of these hints and tips are of some value to you.
We welcome your input and would love to hear of the things you have done or words you have said that have encouraged others.
Teach your child to read
The best way for parents to help their children become good readers is to read to them–even when they are very young. When adults read aloud, children quickly learn that a book is a wonderful thing.
Parents can start reading to children soon after their birth. Although children won’t fully understand the story or poem, they will simply enjoy hearing their parent’s voice.
Beauty Tips (Encouragement for true Beauty) By Audrey Hepburn
* For attractive lips, Speak words of 
kindness.
* For lovely eyes, Seek out the good in people.
* For a slim figure, Share your food with the hungry.
* For beautiful hair, Let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
* For poise, Walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.
* People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anybody.
* Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm.
* As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
Encouraging Quotes
“It does not matter how slowly you go up, so long as you don’t stop”
“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.
Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see.
Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!”
Dr. Seuss
“There is one quality that one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.”
Napoleon Hill
“A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose – a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve. ”
John Maxwell
In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.
Albert Schweitzer
“Go for the moon. If you don’t get it, you’ll still be heading for a star. Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of the creative effort. ”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Stick to it (a poem)
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill.
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a fellow turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man.
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup.
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar.
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.
Authour Unknown
SOMETIMES IT IS WISER TO JOIN FORCES WITH OPPONENTS THAN TO FIGHT THEM.
What a better world this would be if we worked together in harmony toward the achievement of our shared goals instead of engaging in petty disputes and turf battles. When you allow yourself to be dragged into personality conflicts, game playing, arguments about who gets the credit, and disagreements about trivial issues, they only drain your energy and sour your attitude. Plus you waste valuable time that could be spent on far more important matters. When you make an effort to understand others’ motivations, you may well discover that your opponents have far more in common with you than you think. When you cage your ego and look at the situation from the other person’s point of view, you can almost always find a way to work together for your mutual advantage.actually looking forward to going to work.
This positive message is brought to you by the Napoleon Hill Foundation.