We All Could Use An "Atta-Girl"
Claressa Shields
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - APRIL 13: Claressa Shields reacts after defeating Christina Hammer (not pictured) and becoming the women's undisputed middleweight champion at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall on April 13, 2019 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
A little appreciation can make a big difference
I lead a group of trainers, instructors, and coaches in the fitness industry. They tend to lean on me as an example of strong mentoring. I like to recognize people for helping others. We share coaching tips and positive leadership practices.
For some reason, probably due to my own distractions, I had recently gotten away from my biweekly practice of recognizing a job well done to the community on our Facebook group page.
I received a call from Misty, a boxing coach in Tennessee.
"So... remember that shout out thing you used to do on Facebook? Could we go back to that?"
I stopped in my tracks. To be honest, I didn't think Misty or anyone else really noticed that post, so I didn't prioritize it. But she noticed. And it mattered.
"Dopamine is released when we accomplish many little and big tasks. When we get appreciated for our work at the office or at home, we feel accomplished and good, that is because it releases Dopamine." - Dr. Mangalam Ramanathan, Chairperson & Professor, Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, Amritapuri
Appreciation releases Dopamine, and that greatly affects our feeling of happiness.
And, it appears, Dopamine also greatly affects our health. It is linked to blood flow, digestion, heart and kidney function, memory, focus, motor control, pain management, pancreatic function, insulin regulation, sleep, and stress response (Ann Pietrangelo for Healthline)
So by appreciating our teammates or work mates, we are helping with their brain function and their health!
If you're wondering, I got off the phone with Misty, and posted every shout out to every person on my fitness team who is getting up and working for their own health amongst this time of uncertainty, and those who helped someone virtually in an era where live classes and trainings are being canceled (at the time of writing this, we are under national social distancing for COVID_19)
Did you appreciate someone today?
Carrie Executive Assistant, Momentum Consulting
Fundamental #20: APPRECIATE AND ACKNOWLEDGE Let people know your appreciation for the qualities that they possess. Being acknowledged for a task well done is important, being acknowledged for a character quality is lasting.