Make a conscious commitment to share as many kind words as possible, as this simple act significantly boosts both your own and others’ happiness and well-being.
Recognize that your mind often lies about the happiness benefits of social interaction; challenge pessimistic predictions about awkwardness and negative reactions to engage more.
Avoid waiting for the ‘perfect’ time to give a compliment, as delaying can lead to missed opportunities and the impact of kind words does not diminish over time.
When giving compliments, focus on genuine interest and warmth rather than worrying about perfect word choice or delivery, as recipients value sincerity over articulation.
Offer compliments that are tailor-made, unmotivated by self-interest, and genuinely sincere, as these specific and authentic observations are most likely to brighten someone’s day.
Be mindful of the context when giving compliments; for example, focus on competence and skills for colleagues rather than appearance to ensure the message is well-received.
Actively verbalize the nice things you notice about others, rather than just thinking them, as people often don’t know their good traits unless told.
Understand that the true purpose of compliments extends beyond sharing positive facts; they are a powerful tool for building and strengthening relationships.
Give compliments frequently, even to the same person, as research shows their positive impact on recipients does not degrade or wear off over time.
Make a conscious effort to practice giving compliments often, whenever and wherever appropriate, as this skill can be developed and will improve your relationships.
Actively reach out more frequently to the people you care about, as even a quick text or phone call can be significantly important to a friend in need.
Actively work to overcome the usual busyness that often prevents you from being the best friend you can be, ensuring you make time for important social connections.