A Lesson Learned
Several months ago, I decided that from now on I would take a minute to thank people for doing a good job (even if it's a part of their job) and to call people on it when they're being idiots.
And I must say that saying "thank you" to people is rewarding. I know it sounds cheesy but it is! My most recent mini-crusade, if you will, is with the school newspaper. It started with writing a letter to the editor in response to a misinformed opinion piece about the Convocation Center (which is definitely being published, by the way). But since then, I have taken 2 minutes of my time to e-mail people who have written good articles. Whether it's simply well-written or something that I agree with, I e-mailed them. And in their responses, they seem surprised that someone read their article (not surprising to the rest of us), much less bothered to comment. I know many people don't think much of The Hurricane. And I agree that it's not the best example of journalism, but taking the moment to tell someone they did a good job or that they're an idiot for not doing some basic research, may improve the paper. So maybe eventually more people will read it and maybe it will be a good publication.
And I have been on the receiving end of positive comments too. Typically people thank me for things that I considered to be merely a part of my job, so I'm surprised when they're appreciative. But you know what, it makes me smile and makes me feel like I am a competent person and that maybe I have nothing to be afraid of from the so-called "real world."
So I encourage everyone to say "thank you" when you see something done well. (And call people idiots, more eloquently than that of course, when the need arises.) You might be surprised at the positive mood it puts you in afterwards. It's my small way of making a difference in our silly world.
And I must say that saying "thank you" to people is rewarding. I know it sounds cheesy but it is! My most recent mini-crusade, if you will, is with the school newspaper. It started with writing a letter to the editor in response to a misinformed opinion piece about the Convocation Center (which is definitely being published, by the way). But since then, I have taken 2 minutes of my time to e-mail people who have written good articles. Whether it's simply well-written or something that I agree with, I e-mailed them. And in their responses, they seem surprised that someone read their article (not surprising to the rest of us), much less bothered to comment. I know many people don't think much of The Hurricane. And I agree that it's not the best example of journalism, but taking the moment to tell someone they did a good job or that they're an idiot for not doing some basic research, may improve the paper. So maybe eventually more people will read it and maybe it will be a good publication.
And I have been on the receiving end of positive comments too. Typically people thank me for things that I considered to be merely a part of my job, so I'm surprised when they're appreciative. But you know what, it makes me smile and makes me feel like I am a competent person and that maybe I have nothing to be afraid of from the so-called "real world."
So I encourage everyone to say "thank you" when you see something done well. (And call people idiots, more eloquently than that of course, when the need arises.) You might be surprised at the positive mood it puts you in afterwards. It's my small way of making a difference in our silly world.