My nephew Josh is a cool kid.  He’s 14, smart, interested in the world, and totally into science and astronomy
…this year.
In 2014 his all-engrossing passion was geography.  For a family gathering, he invented a game he called World Domination.  He researched the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of over 40 countries and designed the game board. The object was to accumulate countries and end the game with the highest GDP, thus achieving world domination.
The game was a little amateurish, and lacked some of the drama in “real” board games, but most important was everyone’s willingness to play!  We not only had fun, we also honored the hours, the effort and the enthusiasm that Josh had poured into developing the game.
How far would you go to encourage someone to develop their special talents and interests?   Would you make a phone call?  Listen to their story?  Take the time to write a note?  Watch them perform?  Show and tell them how proud you are of their achievements?

Here are things you can do to encourage people to be all they can be:

1.  Show you care.  Give your time and attention.
2. Listen
3. Tell them verbally.  Use the four magic words: I believe in you….
4. Tell them in writing
5. Share their accomplishments with others
6. Trust them with more
7. Help them to find and develop their potential
8. Be persistently there for them

We have all had someone in our life who encouraged us, made us feel important, as though we could achieve our dreams.  Pass it on; be that person in another’s life.

A young woman shares the difference encouragement made in her life as she struggled working a full time job while going to college part time.  Click here to watch.