How bringing out the best in others helps you to grow too

We are all sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and certainly grandchildren. To enjoy a happy life and to become what we wish to become, we need to get the person right first by building trusting relationships. When we focus on bringing out the best in others, the effect is that we grow as people also. This article is about little things you can do every day to do this.

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Recently in a group of 30 business people, each person was given a “silent buddy”, who they were to perform two or three acts of kindness each week for a month. The “silent buddy” didn’t know who was going to do this for them. The acts of kindness didn’t have to be big things; it could be just saying hello every morning with a smile and asking what they were up to. At the end of the month, the group was surveyed and the results were amazing. Every single person reported that they got far more out of giving acts of kindness than receiving them. There’s a message there; live by giving.

When talking with someone else there are three little words you can use over and over to build relationships. They are, tell me more. Encouraging the other person to share more and more shows that you are interested in them. You can also do this to yourself by regularly reflecting on your greatest achievements at work, at home and in the community and how they made you feel at the time; there is a fair chance that you will feel proud, fulfilled, joyful and contented with yourself. Good stuff.

There is another simple, but powerful way to build your sense of wellbeing to get the person right. Every night reflect on your day to hunt the good stuff to come up with three good things that happened. They don’t have to be big, just positive things that happened and made you feel good. This is also a fantastic relationship building exercise to do with your family and friends.

How often do you hear others say, “It is as simple as ABC”? Well, let’s use the alphabet to reflect on what we say, do and think from A to Z. It is called Life’s Alphabet.

Reflect on, and rate yourself on each of Life’s Alphabet using
Usually      Sometimes       Not Yet

A lways positive in action and thought
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

B elieve in yourself to make what you want to, happen
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

C ontrol what you can control; yourself
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

D elight in celebrating your successes
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

E xcite in the successes of others
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

F ocus regularly on your dreams
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

G ather good friends throughout your life
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

H elp others to make their best better to shine
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

I magine what you will become through effort
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

J og your mind nightly to hunt the good stuff
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

K eep up the can do and want to attitudes
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

L ove the life you live
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

M aster something in life
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

N eed to feel you make a difference to others
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

O wn and take responsibility for everything you say and do
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

P ush through when things get tough
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

Q uit looking on the negative side of life
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

R ecognise what is good about things
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

S tart every day with a smile and positive attitude
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

T hank others for their interest in you
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

U se all of your talents and abilities to make your best better
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

V iew every challenge as an opportunity to grow yourself
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

W onder how good it will feel when you’ve achieved your goals
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

X cel in everything you do and enjoy it
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

Y earn to repeat your greatest achievements
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

Z one in with everything you have and then some more
Usually Sometimes Not Yet

Revisit the alphabet often to keep your positive attitudes happening. Think of two things you will do to make each of the following happen.

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Mick Walsh


Mick Walsh is the author of Australasia’s leading student wellbeing program, the Learning Curve Living, Learning and Thinking program. The program is also extensively used in International schools across the globe. He is a former college leader who now coaches schools on how to deliver the highest quality wellbeing program and he also presents at numerous conferences. Contact Mick Walsh on the website www. learningcurveplanner.com.au or via email mickwalsh54@bigpond.com .