Rockin’ Friends Spotlight – Encourage Light Bulb Moments

Thinking only of yourself equals a very lonely life. In order to enjoy a full life, one needs to be unselfish with their time, talents, emotions, support, intellect, and financial resources.

One of the greatest attributes of a true friend is someone who will encourage your success. The encouragement will provide inspiration and hope to persevere toward the goal or through the hardships and struggles.

Putting ideas and goals out there for family, friends and strangers to pass judgment is not an easy undertaking. It is much easier to hide our talents to avoid failure which in turn ensures that we will never enjoy success because there will not be any fruits from our labors.

How can we encourage success for family and friends?

1. Have and show a genuine interest. Being phoney or aloof won’t cut it.
2. If you truly care, their important milestones and journeys will be important to you too.
3. Respond to problems, concerns and doubts with hope and encouragement.
4. Compliment the person. A “Great job!” or “Well done!” whether it is face-to-face, a text message, phone call, email or card can go a long way.
5. Listen. Listen. Listen. Make it about them, so just listen.
6. Don’t interrupt especially with a story about how great you are because you did this or that.
7. Offer advice when asked. Sometimes people don’t want you to fix it.
8. Ask for advice about things within their realm of expertise in order to boost their morale.
9. What is private or secret should remain private and secret in order to build a bond of trust so that the words you speak will be believed.
10. Never assume they know you care. Say it and show it.
11. Respect their effort. It isn’t easy accomplishing anything. Hard work pays off, but it is still hard work.
12. Give them space, but be there when you’re needed.
13. You don’t always have to speak. Sometimes just being in their presence is enough to comfort them or help them get into action.
14. If you notice the accomplishments or improvements without being asked, it will make your opinion more valuable.
15. Avoid criticism, devaluing and ridiculing the person or their ideas.

When someone has a light bulb moment there is an innate excitement and desire for accomplishment. Success doesn’t feel as great if you are all alone, so encourage others to their greatness. Share in the motivation. By unselfishly helping them reach their goals, you will also find rewards beyond measure.

This is the weekly post where I spotlight my Rockin’ Friends who are the Top Nine active participants and loyal followers in my community! If you want to be mentioned here next week, then all it takes is to come in and start chatting with everyone in my community.

With a big thank you for their participation and friendship, here are the Rockin’ Friends this week in order of most participation:

• Katlupe at Homesteading on the Internet
• Lori at Lori’s LOLz
• Jamie at Avant Garde Parenting
• Marlene at Marlene’s Many Hats
• Kristi at The Child Sensitive Communication Grid
• Kris at In The Kitchen With Audrey
• Holly at Diamond Potential
• Bry at Embracefire Fitness
• Eileen at Fresh Cut Fabrics

This week the special spotlight is shining on Jamie of Avant Garde Parenting. Jamie’s “About Me” is as follows:

After reading the profile, I usually read the latest post on a blog when I start getting to know the blogger and this time was no exception to the rule. The first and latest post on Jamie’s blog was “Coming up with what I’m doing this weekend.” Although I was reading about how she is starting A Parent of the Week on her blog, which I think is fabulous, I still had one thought turning over in my mind. Since my husband’s career is also in psychology and he has degrees that could wallpaper a house, I wondered if Jamie had much in common with him. I didn’t have to wonder long. When I read “Academics love talking about themselves,” I actually laughed out loud from just that one simple sentence. Obviously, Jamie and my husband have something very basic in common.

I love that this particular“Wordless Wednesday” wasn’t wordless! It’s a great peek inside Lori’s mornings.

I have heard parents say way too often, “It was good enough for me as a child.” Well, guess what? Times change. Society changes. Whatever was good enough for you as a child probably isn’t good enough for a child living in 2010. New rules need to apply. Jamie’s post “Decisions, decisions” addresses one of the things that have changed. It is a great post and well worth the reading especially if you have small children.

“Five Ways to a happy, peaceful grocery shopping trip with your preschooler” should be required reading before a mother ever steps foot outside of her home. If I could have a dollar for every time I have bit my tongue instead of screaming at an ill behaved parent in the grocery store, I would be a millionaire.

I’m so glad that I’ve been able to get to know Jamie better since she has become active in my community and by reading her blog. Be sure to add Avant Garde Parenting to your blogroll, but also come over and chat with Jamie in my community.

The community challenge this week was fun, exciting and as Lori said earlier this week (paraphrased) “You go to bed and wake up to find that everyone was busy while you slept!” Thank you to all the participants for working so hard at making the community a success. Big hugs from me!

The three winners in the challenge are (in the order they were drawn)are:

• Marlene at Marlene’s Many Hats
• Katlupe at Homesteading on the Internet
• Kristi at The Child Sensitive Communication Grid

Congratulations to Marlene, Katlupe, and Kristi! Thank you for being Rockin’ Friends! We all appreciate the effort you have made to get to know us better and supporting our individual blogging efforts.

For everyone mentioned in the top nine this week, feel free to grab the Rockin’ Friend badge below and thank you for your participation!!

<a href=”https://theredheadriter.com/” target=”_blank”><img border=”0″ alt=”Rockin’ Friends” title=”Rockin’ Friends” src=”http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt308/TheRedHeadRiter/2009%20TEMPLATE/69015f9c.jpg” /></a>

Until the spotlight next week…Happy Chatting Rockin’ Friends!

Don’t forget to add your blog URL to the Linky at Woo Us To Your Blog and learn blogging tips that will help you have a polished blog and to increase your traffic! This week it is all about letting me help you!!

Until next week…Kiss your family, hug your friends and don’t forget to be the friend you would like to have around.

Glowing like a 250 watt bulb,