“What do most people crave? They don’t often admit to it but they respond well to it. They appreciate it when it happens, but they often downplay it. They want it but when they get it they act like it’s not a big deal. BUT it is a big deal AND it is important! We all want it and would like it more often. Can you guess what it is? People do more for it than for money.

In days of old. Not that long ago but it seems to be a forgotten practice. Companies used it to give a ‘sendoff’ to their retiring employees. The military uses it. Schools, churches and temples, charities, clubs and associations recognize its value. Frankly, there’s probably not an organization of any size that doesn’t utilize it in some fashion. Can you name it now?

Today, companies let people go without warning. They cut back. They cut the workers who help make the corporation, the CEO, the shareholder quite wealthy while not paying workers living wages. They’ve removed retirement benefits and saving programs that once were promised to the worker. Much has changed but people, the workers, still want and need this.

Attitude Determines Your Thoughts, Feeling, Talk, Actions And The Results You Get!

Okay, here it is. I call it R.A.V.E.™  Recognize. Appreciate. Validate. Excellence! Do you get what this means? We all like to be recognized and appreciated. We need to feel validated. We respond well to others noticing our efforts and calling them out in positive ways. When people have performed well or done something special, they should be acknowledged.

So, rave about them! Retirees used to get sent off with a gold watch and special thanks. The armed services, police, firefighters and other associations give medals for valor, service and sacrifice. Schools give awards for merit and diplomas, even scholarships. Businesses provide certificates, perks and dollar incentives. People want to be recognized for the value they add.

Churches and temples, charities and hospitals have donor walls or plaques. Country clubs have donor walls. The entertainment business has the Academy Awards and other award ceremonies. Critics of award shows say it’s just rich celebrities patting each other on the back. YES, exactly! Even having all the money god has doesn’t replace recognition! Get it?

Attitude Determines Your Thoughts, Feeling, Talk, Actions And The Results You Get!

Nearly every group of some kind has some ceremony or award they confer. Are you getting the reason for this? These long-standing practices and ceremonies exist for a reason. In some cases, some of these ceremonies may have lost their special meaning but the practice has endured since early times! People like and need to be recognized. I repeat people like it.

I repeat again. People like and need to be recognized for who they are and what they do OR for what they’ve accomplished. This is a large part of multi-level marketing companies’ process and procedure. They provide recognition for leveling up. There are recognition ceremonies and banquets. They know people love recognition and appreciation, so they provide it. Get it?

People are brought up, told to stand, given a pin, a certificate, an award, a cash bonus, a car or any number of rewards IN recognition of their accomplishment, or in some manner people are spot-lighted and honored or thanked. Though the recipient may downplay this moment it IS a very special moment. It is a special moment in their life. A photo moment. A memory!

Attitude Determines Your Thoughts, Feeling, Talk, Actions And The Results You Get!

It’s a badge of honor among peers. A celebration. It is acknowledgement! People enjoy being recognized and typically perform better when they are. It can be used when people accomplish something, graduate from school or move up the ladder. Never underestimate the power of recognition and validation. Think about the important people in your life. Go ahead.

People enjoy having others notice and it’s important that we do. Consider, it could be your parents or your children. It might be your friends and associates. It could be your employees or co-workers. Think about the people who mean a lot to you and consider how you might recognize them. How might you provide a moment for them to shine?

In what ways can you validate who they are? How can you validate what they do and what they mean to you? How can you provide recognition and help them feel appreciated? Heck, we celebrate another year of living with a card or ceremony. Isn’t it more important and meaningful to be recognized and validated for something other than just growing older?

Attitude Determines Your Thoughts, Feeling, Talk, Actions And The Results You Get!

Let them know you value them! If you love them, tell them. Tell them some of the reasons why. Express your appreciation. Let them know how you feel. Come clean with your positive feelings of regard and gratitude. Shower them with genuine attention and affection. Help them feel truly special. Make their day with thoughts of lovingkindness. Be specific too!

Don’t just give some vague praise but point out specific behaviors you want to acknowledge. Have a ceremony if you can or a dinner. Make the occasion special, take some time and enjoy it. Make them comfortable and help them to truly feel how important they are to you and why they are. By the way, when you praise a specific behavior, you encourage more of it.

Encourage them to continue to be excellent by noticing when they are. When they step in the right direction, acknowledge it. Let them know. They’ll want to do it again.  People respond well to being awarded for merit so give them plenty of reasons to feel great about getting the special attention. Be genuine and they’ll get that you mean it. Be absolutely genuine.

Attitude Determines Your Thoughts, Feeling, Talk, Actions And The Results You Get!

Imagine how good they feel when you spend time raving about them. Then remember there is someone else you absolutely must recognize, appreciate and validate. Yourself! Pat yourself on the back. Recognize the progress you’ve made. End the self-criticism. Enough with that. When you’ve done something, you intended to, when you’ve followed through and kept your commitments, take time to honor and respect that. Acknowledge and recognize it. Appreciate it and reward yourself. Love and thank yourself for being you. Feel the love. Genuinely gift yourself for your performance! R.A.V.E™ about you to you. Celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes