One of the biggest regrets that many people have in their lives was not showing enough appreciation for those around them. The good news is that you can change that all by showing our appreciation to those that you care about without having to spend much in the way of money. In fact, some of the best expressions require little to no cash and will create a memory that lasts a lifetime.
“Don’t forget that a person’s greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.” – H. Jackson Brown
You will want to show your appreciation at times when it is appropriate and during times when it is the least expected. You can have something prepared if you like so it can be presented at the time of your choosing. Keep in mind however, that expressing your appreciation is something that can be done on a moment’s notice.
Here are just 10 ways you can show your appreciation of someone that you care about. You can keep it simple or make it more elaborate, but the message you want to get across is how important they are in your life.
Be Positive
A good, positive attitude goes a long way towards showing how much you believe in someone. Whether they are feeling down or they are trying to achieve a goal, let them know how much you believe in them. By staying positive, you are demonstrating your appreciation of their intelligence, talents, and work ethic which they will pick up and use to motivate them to do even better. So, some positive words of encouragement will let them and everyone else know how much they are appreciated in your eyes.
Brag About Them
Telling others how much a person means to you or about the accomplishments they have achieved is a great way to show your appreciation. You can do this at an office meeting, at dinner with friends or co-workers, or at an event where a few words can make all the difference. By demonstrating how much you appreciate the work or accomplishments of someone you care about will go a long way towards demonstrating their worth in your eyes.
Eye Contact
There is something about eye contact that helps a person feel more appreciated. This is because when you talk to them while maintaining contact with the eyes it helps them feel more comfortable and important. You are fully engaged and listening to what they are saying when you maintain eye contact. So, if you find yourself shying away, looking downward, or not being fully engaged you will need to change that habit to create the right impression.
Gift Giving
One of the simplest and easiest ways to show your appreciation is with a gift that tells them how much you care. You can choose something simple such as gift basket, tea or coffee set, or even silk flowers that last for a long time. The gifts are inexpensive and can be ordered quickly so you can show your appreciation fast.
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward
Hug
A hug, a slap on the shoulder, or a handshake can say so much to a person about how much you care about them. A simple touch creates a powerful connection that speaks volumes. So, take the moment to hug or even just pat them on the shoulder so you can create that physical connection which indicates your appreciation in the best way.
Make Promises You Keep
Be the friend who shows up on time, does not cancel plans, or waits until the last moment before deciding whether to go or not. If you cannot make it, let them know as soon as possible so you are not holding up their schedule. They will appreciate the thought even when you cannot be there that you hold their interest so highly. So, if you make a promise, do your very best to keep it.
Make Something Handmade
One type of gift that cannot be duplicated is something that you make from scratch. Whether it is a favorite treat to a simple gift, making something by hand demonstrates that you put in the time and effort to create something unique that will be appreciated. When you consider how easy it is to buy something, if you have the time to create something by hand, then it pays to do so. After all, it will be a gift that they will appreciate for a long time to come.
Tell Them You Care
You can speak your appreciation daily, telling the ones you care how you feel in short, simple sentences. It only takes a moment, but it will feel so worthwhile as you remind them about how you feel. You do not want to wait until it is too late before saying how much you care. Be sure to say it in the moment so that they can appreciate your thoughts. It pays to get into the habit of telling people just how much you care about them.
“Until people lose someone they never realize their value.” – Samuel Febaraj
Treat Everyone Equally
Given that everyone is in the same boat in terms of being human beings on the Earth, it pays to treat everyone equally so that they can feel valued and appreciated. Naturally, family may come first, but that doesn’t mean you should treat everyone else differently. By showing that everyone gets the same treatment from you, it creates a warmer atmosphere where everyone feels appreciated.
Write a Note
A short note that expresses your appreciation is one of the simplest and best ways to let someone know how you feel. From a job well done to just being there for them, you can write a simple “thank you” up to a few sentences of how you appreciate what they have done. You should have some good writing paper and pen handy so you can express how you feel when the right moment strikes.
All it takes is a moment out of your day to let someone know that they are appreciated. Get into the habit of being appreciative starting with your actions and then reinforced by words or deeds that let them know you care.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget the the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” – John. F. Kennedy
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