How to Offer Encouragement

Offering encouragement to friends, coworkers and family can boost their motivation and help them persevere during times of strife. Everyone could use a little boost every now and then, so help those that are close to you by giving them all of the encouragement that you can muster.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Demonstrate a genuine interest in others. Expressing your interest can be the most effective way of offering support and encouragement. Ask questions about your child's favorite music or your coworker's favorite sports team. Get them talking to let them know that you really care. Recognizing and acknowledging what is important to others can provide them with validation about what they are doing and who they are.
2. Offer your support and guidance. If others see your willingness to give your time and energy to their needs, it will encourage them to have confidence in themselves. If a person sees that another person has faith in them, it will boost their ability to have faith in themselves.
3. Offer encouragement with words of praise. This lets a person know that the things that they do are meaningful to someone else and don't go unnoticed. Offering praise is especially important for all of the mundane tasks that a person completes everyday without thanks. Tell your husband or wife that dinner was fabulous and that you appreciate all the hard work they do everyday.
4. Confide in others and ask them for advice. By doing so, you are encouraging them by letting them know that you value their opinions and that you have trust in them. Asking a coworker or an employee how you might improve your own work will encourage that person to feel more valued and have more confidence in their own work.