Don't Wait Till They Die (like Michael Jackson) Before You Acknowledge Their Greatness

Never underestimate the importance of listening and acknowledging people.

Now the world is mourning the death of Michael Jackson and acknowledging his accomplishments, his creativity and his incredible productivity.

But wouldn't he have liked to get all that acknowledgment while still alive?

What about your loved ones? Do you listen to them? Do you acknowledge their many positive qualities?

Have you ever said something to someone, only to be ignored? It feels awful, doesn't it? When it happens to me I wonder, "Maybe they didn't hear me." "Should I repeat myself?" Or worse: "Maybe what I said was of no interest, it wasn't important, who cares anyway. I'm not important."

Wow — it can be a real dwindling spiral of internal thoughts that are sparked off by the failure to listen and acknowledge.

See what you can do to bring someone to life just by listening and acknowledging them. But you really do have to listen and understand what they said and then, and only then, acknowledge them.

It doesn't matter if you agree with them or not. So long as you understood what they said, you can respond as simply as, "Wow, I get what you're saying," or "Hey, that was well put" or "Thanks for letting me know how you feel. I really do understand."

You really DO have to mean what you say. Otherwise, you will be perceived as a phony and that is the opposite of the effect you want to create.

So make a resolution today to acknowledge those you come in contact with — even the grocery store clerk as they check you out and give you your change. Acknowledge them for doing their job well.

You can really make a difference in people's lives by doing this.

Don't wait till people die (like Michael Jackson) before you acknowledge them. Do it now and maybe they'll live a little longer because of you!

Tagged as: acknowledge, michael jackson