It’s Day 16 of the Just For Today Challenge – 31 Days To A Better You and it’s time to give some compliments.

When’s the last time you gave a compliment to someone? Told your wife or husband that they looked great? Told your child that his smile lights up the room? Told your sister that you think that she’s the smartest person you know? Told the cashier in the supermarket how much you like the way they stack the groceries so that it’s easier for you to carry them home? I bet that it’s been a while. As with many other things, if you don’t use it, you lose it.

Today your Challenge is to compliment at least 5 people in your life. Of course, more is better but try for at least 5 compliments today.

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. – Leo F. Buscaglia

Tell the person how much you like their hairstyle, their clothes, their eyes – whatever you want to compliment. But, this is important, only compliment if you mean it. People can tell if you are insincere.

Try complimenting your coworker on a recent project deliverable. Did they do a good job? Then tell them so and see the trust between you grow. I know that this can sometimes be difficult but make it a habit to recognize others when they do a good job.

I remember waiting for an elevator one time and there was a man standing besides me. He has on this multi-striped shirt that was really very nice. It was freshly pressed and it really suited him. I told him that he looked really nice today and I’ll never forget his response. He profusely thanked me and told me that no one in the 5 years of working in the company ever told him that he looked nice. I remember thinking how sad that was – that no one ever told him that he looked nice, especially since it was obvious that he took pride in his appearance. Isn’t it funny how I remember this so many years later?

You never know when you will make a stranger’s day, just by noticing and complimenting them. I’m going to join you on this challenge today and will complement 5 people that I see throughout my day (men and women).

This makes you notice the small things. Some people make a real effort in their appearance and having that little compliment can provide validation and can make someone who’s having a bad day, feel infinitely better about themselves.

This is also a good opportunity for you to give back. It costs nothing and means so much to people. It’s like a little gift of goodwill to the other person. What you get back is also a gift – the gift of gratefulness as you are looking at the positives in life instead of focusing on the negatives. Noticing someone’s beautiful shirt and complimenting them sends them positive vibes, plus it can change your focus on what’s gone wrong in your day.

Noticing the uniqueness in others also makes you an attractive person. You are focusing on trying to make someone else feel good about themselves and that reverberates to them feeling good towards you.

Also, this is a really good pay-it-forward task where if you give to the universe, you may be surprised how often you will receive compliments back.

If you do receive any compliments today, a simple “Thank You” is sufficient. Don’t belittle the person complimenting you by explaining away their compliment. You only need to thank them.

Let us all know how you did today by leaving a comment. Did you get any unexpected responses from people? How did you feel afterwards? Anyone tell you how beautiful or how handsome you were today?

For a list of all of the Challenges, see the Just For Today Challenge page.

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Tagged as: Confidence, Giving, Just For Today Challenge