National Compliment Day is today, January 24th! It offers a wonderful way to brighten someone’s day or to give credit for a job well done! Give an extra compliment annually on January 24th and any time one is deserved. In the hustle-n-bustle of our daily lives, it is easy to start taking our loved ones and people around us for granted. Compliment Day attempts to change that. It encourages people to make a conscious attempt to praise and acknowledge the little (and big) things others do for them. A compliment has a powerful effect. It can instill confidence in a child or validate someone’s hard work. A compliment not only improves the receiver’s mood, but it also says something about the giver. It tells them you noticed. Whether we recognize someone’s achievement or their classic style, a compliment can go a long way. To give a great compliment, first be sincere. People have a way of knowing when we are fake. If you don’t mean it, it’s worse than getting a thoughtless birthday gift. Complimenting character versus a new haircut are different rewards. The first says you respect the person and the other tells them you paid attention. Sometimes the receiver needs to hear one or the other, or both. Human beings like to be unique, original. Strive to give a compliment about what makes a person stand out above the rest. Take the time to reflect on what you admire about the person.
Kathy Chamberlin and Debby Hoffman created National Compliment Day in 1998. Compliments not only help spread joy, they also help create bonds. Research has shown that people tend to gravitate towards other positive people in both personal and professional settings. Appreciating others also creates an atmosphere of mutual admiration – praise someone genuinely once or twice, and you are bound to get a compliment or two back. The bottom line is this: giving compliments not only makes the other person happy, it can also make you happy, boost your self-esteem. and help you make friends. Everyone deserves to hear a compliment everyday, but especially today!
