Building Confidence As a …Writer (5)

Welcome to week five of the series on building confidence as a writer (many tips can be applied to any career or part of your life).

We’ve covered early morning feel good, daily writing, eating for energy, and act-as-if.

Today is one of my favorites – pay it forward by focusing on others and giving them a smile.

Remember the compliment jar in an earlier post? You know how great it feels to receive a compliment, right? Do the same for others. When you’re out and about, or at home or at work, give someone a smile, hold a door open, compliment a person for something you notice.

If you’re a writer and have received a review, thank the reviewer for his or her time. If you have clients, think of ways you can improve your service to make the client even happier with you. Give a person your full attention and ask them how their day is going. Be interested in their lives outside of the office.

Drop an anonymous card on someone’s desk that includes a beautiful picture, a compliment, a treat, or a small gift – even a smiley sticker can do the trick. Be a ‘secret Santa’ on a random day of the year and do random kind acts throughout the day.

Paying it forward makes others feel good, but it also fills you with a positive sense of satisfaction.

One phrase I find that isn’t used much, but can mean a lot is, “You’re welcome.” It feels good when someone says “Thank you,” for an effort you made, right? Of course it does.

And when you say ‘thank you’ to someone, do you feel better hearing “You’re welcome,” or a casual “Sure”, “Yeah, no problem,” or “Don’t think anything of it.”?

“Thank you” and “You’re welcome” can brighten anyone’s day. They show respect, sincerity, and appreciation.

What small act or gesture can you give to a stranger, friend, family member, coworker, client, or customer today? Smiles are easy to pay forward since they are contagious. 

Lisa J. Jackson is an independent writer and editor who enjoys working with businesses of all sizes. She loves researching topics, interviewing experts, and helping companies tell their stories. You can connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.