Reality Check: What Encourages You?

Encouragement makes a difference in people’s lives. OK, that may just be my opinion, but I’m sticking with it. What do you think? Do you act differently when you are feeling encouraged compared to when you are discouraged?
My observation is that when we’re encouraged, we try harder. The going gets tough; we keep on plugging. We’re not as likely to throw in the towel and spend our precious time sitting in front of the TV muttering, “What’s the use?”
Does that matter in the big picture? I think so.
When we keep doing things that could lead us to results that we want, we’re more likely to get them! Of course, there are no guarantees. But it makes sense that we improve our chances for success if we keep on trying rather than giving up and complaining about how nothing works for us.
There’s also a case to be made that encouraged people make a kinder, better society. Are you more inclined to be helpful to others when you’re feeling encouraged? I think it’s difficult to spread generosity and kindness if we are personally feeling bitter or discouraged.
Depending on our situations, we’ll have different influences around us. If you are surrounded by encouraging, positive people, whether at your workplace, home, or community, you may be perplexed by the idea that anyone could spend time being discouraged.
On the other hand, if you are often isolated or in regular contact with discouraging influences, finding your way out of a discouraged mindset can be a challenge indeed. It’ll likely take more than a snap of the fingers to transform ourselves from that mindset to “up and at ‘em!”
As we often don’t have control over our immediate environments, what can we do, that’s within our control, that could be helpful?
Different people find different ways to encourage themselves. For some of us, moving our bodies can be an excellent way to get out of our heads. Walking, running, stretching, dancing; if you can move your body without too much pain, then you have a great gift and a great opportunity for encouragement. This works even better if you can arrange to do it with a friend or a group. Being* outside in nature could make it even more effective.
But physical activity is not an option for everyone. You may find that listening to music, watching uplifting shows, looking at inspiring pictures, reading encouraging materials; any of those can help to take us out of a discouraged state and influence us toward the good, the true, the beautiful. In other words, toward encouragement.
Those are all pretty standard suggestions for how to encourage ourselves. But I have one more suggestion for you; a powerful one that I believe is too often overlooked. What is it? Take actions toward accomplishment!
When we do something that gives us a sense of accomplishment, we can use the result to give us encouragement. It can satisfy what Choice Theory refers to as the need for power/recognition. Even “ordinary” activities: cleaning a closet, making a meal, putting up Christmas decorations, can provide satisfaction when we say, “There, That’s done!” With one thing done, we can encourage ourselves to use that satisfaction as inspiration to do another.
What do you find encouraging? What do you do when you feel in need of encouragement? Do you go to specific activities? People? Resources? And do you believe that whether you are feeling encouraged is under your control? Or is that out of your hands?