42. Positive reinforcement is a most powerful tool.

Most of us have been aware of the power of positive reinforcement for most of our lives. Everyone loves to be acknowledged in some positive way for anything that we may have accomplished. What we perhaps have forgotten is the fact that we don't really need to do anything significant to be eligible for a positive ego-stroke! 

A friend and outstanding teacher who worked with me for several years was the master of positive reinforcement. Paul was an outstanding science teacher, but he was also a master human being. On every occasion possible, he tried to reward every student he taught with a positive compliment every day. Sometimes it was a high five, a comment on a nice shirt, or a warm smile accompanied by a personal word about something. The kids in his classes worshipped him. His constant and genuine positivity earned him the respect and love of his students all the time. Through his positive outlook with kids, I really witnessed the power of positive reinforcement. 

In today's world, we are not generally overwhelmed with positive reinforcement and yet it is such an easy gift to bestow on others. Both the recipient and the bestower of a compliment feel good after the interaction. We just seem to be "too busy" to take the time to make a conscious effort to be more complimentary to each other. 

I recall a menial job I had one summer working in a dairy. One day the foreman told me he wanted me to scrub the mold that was affixed to the ceiling over a hot water tank. With my ladder, a bucket of hot water and soap, and a heavy bristled scrub brush I attacked the mold. The job took all day and when I was finished I was soaking wet, tired and my muscles and back ached. And in my eyes, the ceiling didn't look a whole lot better. At day's end, the foreman told me that he was amazed at the good job that I had done. That small compliment always ranks as one of the most satisfying acknowledgements that I ever received. 

The best positive reinforcement is often the one that you don't expect and it can make your day. We need to do it much more often!