| y"> | | | | Administrative Assistant's day, birth of a baby and so |
| Give praise and appreciation and you are golden. | | | | many other gift occasions. That is right... a gift. But be |
| Every leader, successful person or those who dream | | | | honest are you thinking about praise and appreciation |
| of success know these words. Many self | | | | each time you give a birthday gift or baby gift. |
| improvement books are filled with ideas that relate | | | | Sometimes you may get invited to parties without |
| to these words. Why? Its because that is what we | | | | prior knowledge of the honored person. There are so |
| all want. A perfect example of this comes to mind | | | | many gift occasions that who has time to put in a |
| -this past Valentine's Day. That day women around | | | | little effort. How often do you say to yourself I have |
| me seemed to be uttering the same words, "Guys | | | | no idea what to buy. I need to buy a gift. Which |
| just don't understand the importance of getting | | | | leads to the question of finding the perfect gift. |
| roses on Valentine's Day. They don't get romance | | | | What is it anyway? The perfect gift has a personal |
| and what it means to us." Another woman | | | | element. It is special and makes the person smile, |
| expressed that her husband got her the wrong size | | | | does it not! Some of the gifts I have received made |
| of pajamas, wrong kind of chocolate and did not | | | | me smile really big. They all make me smile but some |
| even write a simple something on the card. | | | | made me smile really big. Smile really big! They related |
| What do these women want? It is what every | | | | to me. This is the personal element. The gift made |
| person in the world wants. Praise and appreciation. At | | | | me feel special and it still makes me smile. |
| work we all want to be told that we do a great job. | | | | So what can you do to put a personal element, smile |
| We want our husbands and our wives to appreciate | | | | and more smiles into a gift. Here are some thoughts. |
| us. We want to be valued by our friends and family | | | | First always buy a card for them. Hallmark are the |
| and the people who surround us everyday. These | | | | best. Add a personal thought. Combine this with a |
| are the people we enjoy being with. Who enjoys | | | | unique gift experience and you have a winner. Say an |
| being with someone who is rude, mean or just does | | | | employee has done a great job for you lately. Do |
| not care? Employees work harder when they know | | | | you know if they like chocolate or coffee. |
| they are appreciated. Wives appreciate their | | | | Remember connecting with people around you is a |
| husbands more when they are appreciated more. | | | | gift of appreciation itself. So get them a chocolate |
| Perhaps divorce is so high these days because a lack | | | | gift basket or a coffee one and in the card write |
| of appreciation and praise. | | | | hard work is deserving of lots of chocolate . Or for |
| What is praise and appreciation? Well it is simple | | | | the coffee basket write here is to you, the person |
| recognition that someone values you. How do you | | | | so deserving of a much needed coffee break. |
| give it? Simply saying thanks you are wonderful, | | | | Thanks for all you do. What about a new baby gift. |
| works. But mean it with all your heart. How about | | | | Send them a baby gift basket with a card that reads |
| take sometime off for yourself. How about taking | | | | congrats on your new baby anytime you want to |
| more interest in the person. Taking more interest | | | | talk baby advice call me. Add a few of your baby |
| shows you care enough to make a connection. When | | | | thoughts in the card. What about a giant cookie or |
| people feel connected to you they will praise you as | | | | something like that to say a big help deserves a big |
| well. In addition to all of these suggestions there is | | | | cookie. Have a friend who is always there when you |
| one more that goes way back to probably biblical | | | | need her/him? Give them a themed thanks a million |
| times. Who knows how far it dates back. | | | | gift basket. |
| We do it for every birthday, Valentine's day, | | | | |