Positive Commentary

How do you know you’re doing something right? How do you know someone recognizes the effort you’re putting forth? How can you tell someone appreciates you? When do you know someone likes you, simply for being you? These are some of the many questions which occupy space in my head, almost on a daily basis. Many people perceive this mindset of sweating the small stuff as a negative. While this is true some of the time, the fact I care and worry is a positive, despite others attempting to convince me otherwise.

I will try to provide a simple answer to each of the questions posed. Someone knows they’re doing right when someone tells them they’re doing it right; a nonverbal or verbal sigh of communication will suffice. This can be a signal established between the two involved, or something as basic as “Good job!” When someone approaches you to tell you that a certain area looks better because you take the time to make it so, your effort is being recognized. You know someone appreciates and respects you by how they treat you over time, not simply by what they say directly to you. Remember that actions speak louder than words. You know someone likes you when they tell you and/or show a sense of excitement which can’t be mistaken for anything else, among many other verbal and nonverbal cues. I’m very fortunate to have many of these exchanges on a daily basis because of my job and my volunteer activities.

When a child expresses genuine concern over my absence from work (“I thought something terrible happened to you, Mister Brandon, and that I would never see you again”), I’m touched. When elderly couples walk their laps around the store, stopping each time to have a quick word, I’m thankful. When countless customers address me by name, not because I have to wear a nametag, but out of respect, I feel connected. When someone tells me they like what I wrote for the Holland Museum, I feel special. When visitors tell me that it’s great to see someone from the younger generation showing interest in history, and do so with such enthusiasm, I blush and say “Thank you.” When countless children flock to me, needing their fix of hugs, high fives, high tens, and knuckles, we’re left beaming with matching smiles. When I show a child a lobster and watch them touch the animal for their first (or not) time, I watch them smile and can’t help but feel awesome. Having customers tell me they won’t go to another store because I’m not there tells me they recognize and appreciate everything they see me do, all in efforts to help provide them unrivalled customer service. More importantly, we’re able to see each other as human beings, talking about life’s intricacies.

Unfortunately, a large portion of what we do on a daily basis goes unrecognized. There are many reasons and variables attributing to this. Don’t let the negativity stop you from being truly spectacular. Keep putting forth your best effort, as no good deed is left unrecognized. It may take a while for someone to recognize and appreciate how amazing you are, but it does eventually come around. When the moment comes, allow someone to give you a compliment and live in the moment. Then, continue being who you are meant to be: you.

-Brandon-

Comments

[Brandon]

You're absolutely right Denise. By no means do I mean to sounds as though I'm bragging, but to serve as a reminder that there are positive interactions made with everyday tasks; we just have to focus on them instead of the negative. People are good, and just need a small reminder that they are awesome. Using the pay ot forward method works wonderfully in this case, too. My mother-in-law is says "Good on ya" all the time!

[Denise DiNoto]

We all respond to the occasional 'Good on ya!' Accepting the compliments with humility and a smile is a great skill to have.