Thankful Thursday – Who do you appreciate? Have you told them?
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I work really hard. There, I said it. Yes, Mister, I know I get to leave my office at 5:00 (most days anyway) when you are still slaving away, but while I’m at work, I WORK. Hard. It helps that I really like my job, but I am constantly looking for new ways to learn, improve my practices and become better at what I do. I figure, if I’m going to spend 8 hours a day doing something, I’m going to become the best I possibly can at it. And I’m certainly going to learn as much as I can along the way. This may sound brown-nosey, hardcore or dorky to some of you, but why just ‘get-by?’ I’m not a ‘get-byer.’ I find that the more I put into things, the more that I get out of them (apparently that isn’t just a cheesy saying, it’s actually true!). I go all out – in my hobbies, my passions, my relationship with the Mister and my family, I give it everything I’ve got.Sometimes knowing that I do all of those things is good enough. Sometimes it’s enough to know in my ‘lil heart that I’m doing everything I can. But SOMETIMES a little recognition is nice, too.
This week I’m thankful for recognition.
As you know, I was out of town last Friday thru this Monday. When I got back into the office on Tuesday (after sifting through about 200 emails), I noticed a newly scheduled meeting notification. Yes, at 8:53 I learned my annual review was scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ARRRGHGGGHHHH! WHAT? A number of things rushed to my mind:
1.) Of COURSE this had to be a day I didn’t wash my hair or wear one of my ‘confidence’ outfits
2.) Did I put on deodorant this morning?
3.) The meeting is SMACK dab in the middle of my snack time, should I eat before hand or go into it with my stomach growling?
4.) Who gives someone 1 hour and 7 minutes notification for a meeting like this?
Needless to say, I wasn’t skipping to this meeting with glee. However, I sat down, put a smile on my face and forced myself to look prepared and calm (It helped I had stuffed tissues under my arm pits – hey, desperate times call for desperate measures)
Our director of employee development (who for the record, I adore. This woman really makes the somewhat daunting process as seamless and easy as possible for everyone. Her enthusiasm is contagious and I think she is such a great resource and asset to our company) smiled at me and as she spoke, my worries all washed away. Apparently I was the FIRST employee to be reviewed with the new system we put in place. This was because she wanted my feedback on the new process and wanted to use me as the ‘guinea pig’ because I received such a great review! (She explained that she wouldn’t want to ask someone for feedback after they’d received a bad review).
I’m not one to toot my own horn. In fact, It was extremely difficult to complete my self-review, because those things always make me feel like I’m bragging. Plus, you can never be perfect at something — there is always more to learn.
Anyway — TOOT TOOT 
I couldn’t have been more pleased with the feedback I received from my supervisors. As the director of employee development was reading me the comments, I actually almost started to cry. I was so happy.
Let’s just say this wasn’t the easiest year for me. There was a period of time when one of my supervisors went on maternity leave and I had to perform 2 jobs. Then, later in the year when I was promoted (yay!), the person above me actually left a few months later. At the time, they still hadn’t hired anyone to fill my old position. So I had to perform my old job, my new promoted job and the job of the person above me. But like I said earlier, I’m a doer. I persevered, confronted challenges head-on and grew a lot in the process. I am so proud of the progress and development I’ve made this year. It was so good to actually hear (and see!) that my supervisors not only agreed with me, but gave me way more credit than I gave myself (or quite possibly, deserve).
Anyway, I am thankful for feeling appreciated.
This whole thing really invigorated me and gave me new-found energy and enthusiasm to get back to work! (DORK!) But really, it made me realize just how much of an impact feeling appreciated makes.
According to an article on About.com, “Employee recognition is not just a nice thing to do for people. Employee recognition is a communication tool that reinforces and rewards the most important outcomes people create for your business. When you recognize people effectively, you reinforce, with your chosen means of recognition, the actions and behaviors you most want to see people repeat. An effective employee recognition system is simple, immediate, and powerfully reinforcing.”
But the importance of appreciation and recognition shouldn’t stop at the work place. I ran across this fantastic article.
Best excerpt:
As long as you are alive, there is still time to appreciate those around you and those who have touched you. Get in touch with your parents or spouse and say “I love you and I appreciate the things you have done for me.” Get in touch with an old friend or teacher, or write them a letter (you guys know how I feel about letters!But then, don’t forget. When you see or think of that person who’s so wonderful, think of this message. Think of ways that you can do more than just say “I love you” or “I appreciate you”. Think of actions to show your love.
I also thought this article was interesting. The author takes a very cool approach on how to increase your gratitude.
Who deserves a gold star in your life? (photo: avasjourney.files.wordpress.com/)
What are you thankful for today? Is there someone who makes you smile every day? Tell them. Who do you plan on reaching out to?
Also — Fashion Friday is tomorrow! Have you sent your photo of your favorite outfit this week? Remember, prizes are at stake! I just sent Sherry’s (last week’s winner) out yesterday As a reminder: To enter, submit a photo of yourself in a favorite outfit. If you don’t want to appear in the photo, that’s fine, just send a photo of the outfit on a hanger or laid out on the floor. To win an extra entry, link back to the contest on your own blog or twitter about it – if you don’t have a blog, email the contest to a friend! (just let me know you did so in the comments). Send photos to: info@thedailybalance.com by this Thursday (TODAY) at Midnight.
And don’t forget about Solve it Saturday! (Confused? click the link to find out what I’m talkin’ about!) Be sure to email me your questions. Have an issue with a co-worker? Are you having problems making compromises with your boyfriend/girlfriend? I have my Master’s in communication and am here to help. If you’d like to keep your question anonymous, just let me know. You never know how a fresh perspective can help you solve a problem, Sometimes the solution is starting you in the face! Let me help.
11 Responses to “Thankful Thursday – Who do you appreciate? Have you told them?”
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