You Never Know When A Moment

photo © crazymedia | Fotolia.com

“You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.” – Zig Ziglar

We show support by giving verbal encouragements, yet do they really work? Apparently, they do. Several studies have shown that verbal encouragements tend to increase one’s physical performance for the following reasons: (1) distract discomfort, (2) positively reinforce, (3) resemble instructional commands, and (4) increase the value of the stimuli.

Especially in children, words of encouragement show love and support. Family therapist and author Michael Gurian says that verbal encouragement may teach children the value of perseverance and not giving up when things get tough. It gives them the confidence to strive harder knowing that their parents believe that they can.

Other than teaching perseverance, parents who encourage their children also show their high involvement in their children’s education and endeavours. As a result, kids are more enthusiastic to do well in school, reports Robert McCall and Lawrence Balter, authors of “Parenthood in America: An Encyclopedia.”

If you want your kids or team members to perform better, ditch criticisms and use verbal encouragement instead, science suggests. Positive reinforcements heighten prefrontal activity that
enhances creative thinking, cognitive flexibility, and the processing of information. On default, the brain gives much importance in negative interactions than positive ones, which is why your employees or your children are more likely to remember criticisms than encouragements. When this happens, the brain becomes clouded with anxiety, self-pity, and fear that it becomes too stressed to actually improve.

“A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after a success.” To be an effective leader or parent, give encouragements generously.