364 days of the year we wake up to the same old news and the usual status updates on Facebook and Twitter. And as you saw yesterday on September 11th they look dramatically different. An all-day loop of media features about 9/11 and tons of people change their profile picture to the Twin Towers with #NeverForget.
Then on about September 13 almost everyone forgets. Many will revert back to spending the next 364 days complaining about how long they have to wait in line at airport security or the inconvenience of having to take off their shoes to go through the TSA checkpoint. Sadly, never forget is quickly forgotten and profile pics go back to being head shots. This year marks the 18th anniversary of 9/11 so maybe it will be different but I doubt it.
I’d never EVER want another 9/11 but I miss the way America behaved on 9/12…
American flags on every front porch and mini American flags hanging from car windows. Stores sold out of them because they were being flown by so many people.
First responders were appreciated not protested.
We were all Americans before we were upper, middle or lower class, Jewish or Christian, black or white, Democrats or Republicans living in red or blue states.
We appreciated one another without caring if someone ate at Chick-Fil-A or wore Nikes.
On 9/12 what matter more was what UNITED us, than what divided us.
I want us to behave like it’s 9/12/01 EVERY day.
Coincidentally September 12 is the National Day of Encouragement. This day is dedicated to uplifting people around us and making a positive impact. Do we really need a national day for that?
Shouldn’t we be encouraging those around us every day? It’s called leadership.
It doesn’t cost a dime to say a few encouraging words to a friend, colleague, or team member and just might improve not just their day but their results too.
You never know, an encouraging word said to a stranger might be the thing that makes a huge difference in their life.
Encouragement is uplifting when you’re down and is that extra little push that motivates someone who is working towards a goal.
Encouraging words when some has failed will remind them to persevere.
The right words of encouragement at the right time might be the catalyst to change someone’s perspective for the better.
Every time I’ve been down and out, ready to quit or felt hopeless there was a coach or mentor encouraging me not to throw in the towel. Sometimes it was even a complete stranger, other times it was simply an encouraging sign from God.
Develop the habit of encouraging those around you. Speak up, offer a kind word or helpful advice. Your relationships will improve, personally and professionally and you’ll be the change you want to see in the world.
Kind of like we all were on 9/12/01.
One of the things I’m most proud of are the people in my membership community. They celebrate each other’s wins and encourage each other through adversity. Some recent wins they’ve celebrated together are: a best-selling book by an author who by day runs a multi-million dollar company, 8 speaking gigs in ONE week for one member, too many members to mention who landed new clients and sold to new accounts. And this is ALL in the last week.
You need a team of encouragers like this and you probably don’t even realize it.
Here’s the link to the page where I sell you on WHY you need it and why it’s WELL worth it: http://www.YesterdaysUnderdog.com