Have you had someone in your life that’s been a great encourager?

The ability to give encouragement comes from a grateful heart.  A heart of love.  And a heart to bless others.

Encouragement is a selfless activity.

Those who make a point to encourage others are influencers in their world.  We might even call them world changers.

 

For the past four Wednesdays, in this #31Days series, we have been talking about different aspects of what it means to be encouraging…

On Day 9 I asked readers to share their encouraging ideas.  If you participated…thank you so much!

I’ve taken those ideas and mixed them with my own to give you…

 

#31Days-Day30 :: 52 Practical and Thoughtful Ways to Encourage Others :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

52 Practical and Thoughtful Ways to Encourage Others

 

  1. Who do you love?  Tell your friend or family member you do.  We all need to hear that we are loved.
  2. Cheer up one who is discouraged with a hug, spending time with her, sharing truth, giving hope, telling a joke.
  3. Encourage someone beginning a new job with the latest motivational or business book in hardcover or on Kindle.
  4. Make it a point to do what is good for all.  People notice and appreciate it when you put others’ needs before your own.
  5. Some people are most encouraged by acts of service; rake leaves for an elderly neighbor, plant a porch pot and keep it watered, take the garbage to the street each week and return the empty can to the garage after pick-up, walk the dog.
  6. Spouses need encouragement.  Leave “Post-it” notes with words of gratitude and love thoughts in special places.
  7. Remind one who is struggling in a relationship that God loves each of us with an everlasting love.  He never quits on us, he never gives up on us.
  8. Love on your spiritual leaders regularly, by sending her a card or note in the mail, asking him to breakfast or lunch, or offering your time in a helpful way.
  9. Be patient with the clerk at the store, especially when there is a long line and challenging customers.  Offer an additional word of thanks.
  10. Look out for a co-worker.  Everyone needs someone to be in their corner, to have their back.
  11. Pray for someone when they share a hurt or burden.  Right then.  People are more blessed when you pray with them immediately, rather than saying I’ll be praying for you.
  12. Do a task normally done by your partner. Just because.
  13. Listen to a young person and value their ideas and opinions.
  14. Choose to live a life of character and integrity.  It encourages others to stay the course and model your example.
  15. Give a gift handmade by you.
  16. Encourage a friend to put her hope in God who richly provides everything for our enjoyment.
  17. Pick up the phone and take time to listen and encourage someone who lives far away.  Don’t do all the talking.
  18. For the one out of work, invite them to dinner, send a gift card to the grocery store or gas station (anonymously?), send a special food gift like Omaha Steaks.
  19. Send a short note on Facebook or text message a friend with a few encouraging words.
  20. Tell your boss, your pastor, or other leader that you appreciate him.
  21. Validate the one you’re speaking with; the one who is sharing their heart may be feeling a lack of self worth. It’s a wonderful thing to be validated by a person you truly like and admire!
  22. Freely say thanks for every kindness extended your way.
  23. Do you know someone who is going through rough waters?  Secretly send them a card or note everyday for a week.
  24. Is there a young couple you know who does not have the luxury of family nearby?  Offer to watch their children so they can accomplish a project or go shopping.  Take it farther and give them a gift card to a restaurant and care for their children while they are out.
  25. People rarely get personal mail delivered anymore.  Write or type a long or short letter or note of encouragement and put it in the mail.
  26. Let a parent know that you notice their positive parenting.
  27. Remind the one who feels alone in their battle of Jesus’ promise, “I will never leave you….”
  28. Have a few small gifts on hand to give someone, just because.
  29. Be quick to listen and slow to talk.  Sometimes, the best encouragement is a listening ear.
  30. Let your friend know you pray for her regularly.
  31. Write love letters ( http://www.moreloveletters.com/letter-central/).
  32. Secretly send a gift card for a coffee at Starbucks to the coffee lover with a sweet note.
  33. Be encouraging to all you meet. You never know who is having a hard day.
  34. Many are starved for human touch.  A hand on the shoulder or similar touch, used with caution, is encouraging.  For some, a hug could be life-changing.
  35. Speak life-affirming words.  What are the good qualities you recognize in your friend? Tell them what they are and how they live out those qualities in good ways.
  36. When talking with someone, ask them about them and their situation, don’t talk about yourself.
  37. If your friend is grieving a loved one, encourage them to talk about the person and listen well.
  38. Give words of blessing.  When we bless others, we release the blessing of God on them.
  39. Put together a care package.  Who wouldn’t want to receive a tangible box of love and encouragement?
  40. Smile.  Often.  A smile can change the trajectory of someone’s day.
  41. Extend neighborly kindness and encouragement. Bake and share….especially warm from oven. Have phone numbers of several neighbors so you can go down a list to find one at home to bless with your fresh-baked goodness.
  42. Be a positive, joyful person.  We can only encourage, love, and bless others with what we already have.
  43. Fill jelly jars with flowers picked from your garden.  Drop by a nursing home with them and bless the residents there.
  44. Promote a friend or acquaintance for the things they do. (Including their business).  Everyone needs a cheerleader.
  45. Ask someone for information on something they love or excel at and listen closely.
  46. Treat your co-worker with something small every now and then: a candy bar, their favorite coffee, a fun pen, etc.
  47. Give a sincere compliment.
  48. Let someone know they are important to you by turning off your cell phone when someone starts sharing with you.
  49. Write down a Bible verse that meets the need of your friend’s heart and send it in the mail, or text it, or post it on their Facebook wall for encouragement.
  50. Slip a little card in a co-workers mailbox thanking them or recognizing them for something in the workplace.
  51. Find a way to remember to pray for a friend.  One gal who doesn’t get to see her friend often has a pact with that friend to listen at night for the train whistles. It’s their signal to pray for each other.
  52. Random acts of kindness have a powerful ripple effect.

And for good measure…two more.

  1. Give a toy.  Play is under-rated and helps produce lots of smiles.
  2. If you see someone doing something kind for another person….recognize that act.

 

Day 30 Challenge:  Pick one or two “ways” from the list above and encourage others.  There are a year’s worth of ideas to do, a week at a time, start this week and strategically plan to encourage those within your circle of influence.  Decide to be known as an encourager.

From this list of 52 plus 2…what is your favorite way to be an encourager?  What idea was new to you that you can’t wait to use to encourage others?

Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing. 
1 Thessalonians 5:11a

Let’s be known by the way we encourage others….

Diane

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 Welcome to Day 30 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be…  Or…simply: Be…
Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin”
and in our homes and beyond.  If you missed The Introduction or you’d
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Comments

  1. I have enjoyed your series so much. Thank you for all the trouble you’ve gone to. I’m going to share this on Facebook.

    • Diane says

      Thanks Stacey! You have no idea how much you words mean to me. [hugs]

  2. Mel says

    AWESOME list! Yup…I’ll be snagging a few of those to put into use ASAP. Seems I know a few folks who are struggling and could use the encouraging. This week I’ve been mailing out a card a day…the fun is to not identify myself as the sender and to just wait it out. And I’ll make arrangements to give he-who-does-everything an evening “off”. That’ll be fun!! Oh…And a toy. LOL

    WOW. That was a quick 30 days…

    • Diane says

      Yay!! A whole bunch of people are going to be truly blessed. 🙂 You are the best Mel! Truly!!
      Thanks for all your fabulous suggestions, too!!
      And yeah…it was quick. 😉

  3. Gwen says

    I too like the card a day one. Also let a Mom know how well behaved and fun her kids are. Maybe send the kids their own card oh a maze one or a puzzle one.
    Not do all the talking.
    Listen to a young person.
    Plus more!
    It’s a handy all in one place list I truly want to try being more like Jesus

    • Diane says

      Thanks for your words of encouragement Gwen.
      Hope today is filled with peace and joy. 🙂

  4. What a wonderful list of ideas! I love this idea Diane! Thank you for sharing it with all of us at TTF today!

    • Diane says

      I’m so glad you like this Diann!! 🙂
      Thank you for your kind words.

  5. Tammy says

    So many inspiring ideas! Thanks for sharing all these happy things.

  6. What a great series! Thanks for sharing with us at TTF!

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much Linda!! I really appreciate your encouraging words!
      Blessings!!

  7. What a great list! I am, by nature, an encourager, but I love finding new ways to do that. Thanks!

    • Diane says

      Thanks Melissa!
      That was one of the reasons I asked readers to participate. I had quite a number of ideas…but there were several that I hadn’t even thought about.
      Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!!
      ~Diane

  8. Jelli says

    Diane, I love this list! Who doesn’t need a little extra encouragement every day?? You never know, our uplifting actions might really speak volumes of Jesus to people in ways our words never could. Thank you for this post. I tweeted it already and plan to keep on sharing it on social media. What a gem!

    • Diane says

      Sweet girl….you just made my day!!
      You are so right….people see our love for Jesus, and the way he loves us, by the way we love others. 🙂
      Thanks for the social media props, too!!
      Blessings!

  9. Abby says

    Really good list! Most of the time being an encouragement is only going to cost a little bit of time and though. Thanks for the challenge!

    • Diane says

      Abby…I hadn’t even thought about it that way…but you’re so right. Encouragement really requires very little from us other than a willing and loving heart.
      Thanks for popping by!
      Wishing you an Extraordinary weekend!!
      ~Diane

  10. This list of practical and thoughtful ways to encourage others is exceptionally great. I’ve printed it out and am going to try to focus on at least one every day. I know it will elevate myself as well as others. Would you be willing to share this post and any of your other great ones at our Making Monday link party? We would love it and think our readers will, too. Thanks. Have a fantastic week.

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words, Lori!!
      Thanks for the invite….I popped by. 😉
      Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!

  11. Anne Byerley says

    Hi Dianne,
    Thanks for this, it really makes you think.
    I am coming to you from Memories by the mile tuesday hop, and I love your blog, and am following you in all ways possible from http://www.wabyerley.blogspot.com.
    You will be most welcome to visit at anytime.
    I hope that you have a wonderful day.
    Love and best wishes.
    Anne

    • Diane says

      Thanks for stopping by with your encouraging and welcoming words, Anne!!
      Best wishes for An Extraordinary Day!!
      [hugs]

  12. What wonderful ideas! They’re perfect for World Kindness Day coming up later this month.

    • Diane says

      I didn’t know about World Kindness Day, Susan. I’ll have to look it up.
      Thanks for your kind words….
      Blessings!

  13. Sandi says

    What a lovely post, Diane! It is a gift to be an encourager and I believe we are all capable of being one. We always feel better when we are helping someone else feel better. And it doesn’t cost a mite to be kind. We are all capable of being kind. So happy you have shared your thoughts with us and encouraging us all to be better.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    • Diane says

      Thank you Sandi! You’re right…there is no cost to kindness and the benefits are priceless!
      [hugs]

  14. Great ideas! Wouldn’t it be amazing if more people sought to be encouragers and we were all working to encourage one another!

    If you’re interested I would love if you shared this at Gingerly Made’s Show & Tell party going on right now.

    • Diane says

      Thanks Ginger! 🙂 You know….I really do think it would change our world to be others focused. 🙂
      Thank you for the kind invite!!
      Hope your weekend is Extraordinary!

  15. Elisabeth says

    Great list! I’m going to share this on my FB page!

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much Elisabeth!!! Sharing is a wonderful encouragement!! 😉 Thanks!
      Wishing you an extraordinary weekend!!!

  16. What wonderful ideas! Thank you for a lovely visit via Pink Saturday!

    • Diane says

      Thanks for popping by Kaye and for leaving your sweet words! 🙂

  17. we should all have this wonderful list. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. You help to make it so much fun.♥

    • Diane says

      What a nice thing to say Katherine!! 🙂
      Thank you, my friend!!

  18. Kathy says

    Excellent post, Diane. I think it is marvelous to be an encourager and the best way to be encouraged is to encourage someone else. I am delighted that you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

    • Diane says

      You are so right, Kathy. Goodness…when we’re down…we need to remember to do that. 🙂 I bet you’re a wonderful encourager.
      Blessings!!

  19. Hi Diane,

    I’m new to here from the Friendship Friday blog hop and feeling quite at home in your space. I live for encouragement, give or take. It’s what I do.

    I will be perusing this little treasure trove frequently for guidance from the wisdom you share here. Thanks!

    Kind regards,
    Jennifer

    • Diane says

      Thanks for popping by Jennifer and leaving your kind thoughts. 🙂
      Hope your weekend is filled with extraordinary moments!!

  20. Great post! Very encouraging! Thank you! Found you on Saturday Sharefest SITS Girls
    xoxo Niki

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much Niki!! And thank you for the ‘likes’ on Facebook.
      It’s a pleasure to meet you. 😉

  21. Love this post! Very encouraging! Found you on SITS Girls Saturday Sharefest! 🙂
    xo Niki

  22. Chris Shockley says

    This is great. I’m taking a bible study with Max Lucado (Happiness). The task today was to encourage someone. I needed some ideas and here I am… Thank you.

    • I LOVE that this was such a help (and encouragement) to you, Chris!
      All the best for a joy-filled week ahead!

  23. Marie Alexis says

    Love this post !! Very lovely heart. Blessings!!!

  24. Claudia Porter says

    I love these ideas! I am writing a book on How to Live UP by the power of encouragement. May I have permission to include your ideas, name and url?

    Thank You,

    Claudia Porter

  25. Hello Claudia! I’m sorry I missed responding sooner.
    To answer your question. I’m honored that you would want to include my encouragements in your book. You are welcome to choose one or two of the 52 encouragements along with my name, blog name, and URL, but no more. Please be sure to let me know when you publish it.
    All the best!

Trackbacks

  1. […] Day 30 ~ 52 Practical and Thoughtful Ways to Encourage Others […]

  2. […] of your kind words.  Others of us don’t come by it naturally, so I put together a list of 52 Practical and Thoughtful Ways to Encourage Others.  Essentially one for each week of the […]

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