Today is National Compliment Day. It’s a great reminder to brighten someone’s day or to give credit for a job well done!  But, I encourage you to get in the habit of giving a compliment to AT LEAST one person at least once PER DAY. Are you ready to make it a habit?

I get it, it’s not always the first thing on your mind. Especially when you’re having a bad day, it’s the last thing you feel like doing! But, you’d be surprised what will happen when you start to do it.

Still not convinced? I put together a list of some pretty great reasons why you should!

1. It Makes You Feel Good

I don’t know about you, but I personally like to make others feel good and there’s no better way than giving a nice, sincere compliment. Any time you can be aware and take your focus off of everything going wrong in your day and putting it on helping make someone else’s day a little sunnier is always a plus.

2. It’s Powerful

A compliment has a powerful effect. It can instill confidence in a child, or validate someone’s hard work. A compliment not only improves your mood, but it also says something to the receiver. It tells them you noticed. Whether we recognize someone’s achievement or their unique style, a compliment can go a long way.

3. Sincere Compliments Create Trust

It is human nature to have the desire to be acknowledged. When someone else notices even the slightest thing about another person, it can shout to that person, “Hey!  Someone noticed me!!” Your daily compliments to the quiet ones at work whose name no one knows can help them break out of their shyness and make a world of difference in their life. Everyone wants to feel relevant and we all need someone in our lives we can trust. So, the more we build up others the more we’re also building up ourselves.

4. You Can Make Someone’s Day

Giving a sincere compliment can make someone’s day, so why not give them that. It doesn’t cost you anything, and it’s called being NICE 😉

5. Compliments Can Motivate

We do not always know what people around us are suffering from. Maybe they are feeling down and through your comments, they may start feeling motivated just from your compliment.

6. What Goes Around Comes Around

What usually happens when you give a compliment? You usually get one in return. Maybe it’s just the boost YOU need to turn your mood around!

7. Compliments Create Smiles

Try to give a compliment without smiling! It’s next to impossible and we don’t smile enough! Research shows that children smile an average of 400 times per day, compared to the average happy adult who smiles 40-50 times per day and the typical adult who smiles only 20 times per day.

Why is smiling important? Smiling not only offers a mood boost but helps our bodies release cortisol and endorphins that provide numerous health benefits.

8. It Makes You Likable

Positivity, appreciation and being able to genuinely express yourself are three attractive traits both in personal and professional relationships. And people tend to want to hang around and work with people that have such traits. So you may just make some new friends or even gain new clients!

9. Compliments Break The Ice

I have been a master cosmetologist for 25 years and sometimes when new clients sit in my chair for the first time, they can be a bit nervous. Giving a sincere compliments make people feel comfortable and at ease. This comes in handy for all sorts of interactions.

10. They’re FREE

Giving someone a compliment doesn’t cost you anything, so why not do it? I hope by now I convinced you to make it a habit in your daily life!

Be Sincere

How do you do it? To give a great compliment, first be sincere. People have a way of knowing when we are fake. If you don’t mean it, it’s worse than getting a thoughtless birthday gift. But I also believe that there’s always SOMETHING you can find to compliment!

Learn How To Receive Compliments

Does it feel awkward to accept a compliment? It can’t just be me, right? When you receive a compliment from someone you admire, your first reaction may be to deflect the attention. Refuse the urge to put yourself down or minimize your efforts. Instead, acknowledge the compliment and say thank you. After all, you’re worth it, right?

Simply say “Thank You” and express your gratitude whether you believe what they complimented you or not. Consider returning a compliment if you have a genuine compliment. Use good non verbal body language to engage with them, while being gracious, and not over confident. Congratulations! You did it! 🙂

Who will you compliment today?