There are many ways to live life. Some people try to help others to have enjoyable and encouraging experiences. Different people aim to do this in different ways.
Some aim to create such experiences for their loved ones and people they meet in their daily lives. Some aim to do it when working in a school, team or organisation. Some aim to do it when performing other activities.
Looking back, can you think of a person or a place that followed elements of this approach? This could be a friend, teacher, coach, mentor or another person. It could be a school, hotel, sports team or work place.
What did they do right to offer you or other people an enjoyable and encouraging experience? What was the effect this had on you or other people?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
People Can Offer Enjoyable
And Encouraging Experiences
Many parents want to encourage their children. They want to help them to do what they enjoy and explore. They also often help them to build on their strengths.
One person recalled how their parents took this approach. They expressed in the following way.
“I am dyslexic and had difficulties at school. This was long before it became common to help children who have such challenges. But my parents encouraged me to focus on what I could do.
“I was good at solving certain kinds of puzzles. I was also good at leading groups in sports and drama. Doing what I did best and working to achieve certain goals helped to build my confidence.”
Many people want to encourage their loved ones, friends and colleagues. Some aim to create a stimulating sanctuary where people feel at ease and able to explore.
People who are givers enjoy encouraging others and, when appropriate, helping them to achieve their goals. Some also love to create wonderful experiences that give people positive memories for life.
Educators Can Offer Enjoyable
And Encouraging Experiences
During my life I have been fortunate to meet many educators who took this approach. Henry Pluckrose, for example, ran Prior Weston School.
This was a primary school in London which was loved by pupils, parents and the community. It attracted thousands of visitors from around the world.
George Lyward was a pioneer in child care who ran Finchden Manor. This was a therapeutic community in Kent that helped many troubled young boys to learn, develop and shape more positive futures.
Good educators clarify what the person or the group of people want to learn. They then focus on the themes on inspiration, implementation and integration.
They start by creating an inspiring environment. Bearing in mind what people want to learn, they provide implementation tools that work. They then help people to integrate the learning in their own ways.
Good educators often make a positive impression on people. As the saying goes, you never forget a good teacher. They enable people to have enjoyable and encouraging experiences that create positive memories for life.
Organisations Can Offer Enjoyable
And Encouraging Experiences
Many organisations aim to offer people such experiences. Some work in the caring sector. They may be clinics, hospitals or hospices that aim to help people to have good experiences.
Some work in other fields. They may be sports teams, service providers or pioneering organisations. They often aim to build on their strengths and do superb work that helps their stakeholders to achieve success.
Richard Sheridan leads Menlo Innovations, a software company in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The company aims to build an intentionally joyful culture. Richard has published several books about the work they do. Below are excerpts from the organisation’s website.
There are many ways to live life. Some people try to help others to have enjoyable and encouraging experiences. They may do this as individuals, teams or organisations.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Looking ahead, can you think of a situation where you may want to follow elements of this approach? How can you do this in your own way?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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