Saying Hello Has Consequences

I start this morning with a personal acknowledgement, I too have room for growth in this area!

Consider this... Might there be two types of individuals in our work life? Those we communicate with and those we don't. The reasons we choose not to connect with others vary from one individual to the next. Perhaps we're not feeling like it right now. Everyone gets weary, irritable, busy, and not in the mood to engage in a conversation. Think about what kind of change can we affect by taking a few moments to get to further get to know a student or a colleague.

We are humans after all, and we naturally put up barriers that prevent us from interacting with those around us. For many, it is a function of self-preservation, a coping skill. We protect ourselves and grow accustomed to our regular social circles. In the process, we lose sight of the need to reach out and serve those in front of us. Too often, we become mired in our own spheres spending much time in our own moments, that we inadvertently fail to extend ourselves to those who need our energy the most: the lonely, the hurt, and the people no one wants to talk to.

Extending a simple “Hi” or “Hello” establishes a channel of communication. As the year comes to an end, it is not too late. Continue to focus on building a relationship with someone by acknowledging them. We rush things to the point where we neglect, perhaps, the most important event in a person's day - that someone cared enough to check-in with a simple "Hi, how are you doing?"

Ultimately, we all have the ability to make a positive impact on our relationships. Meaningful deposits, by approaching and speaking with others in a way that brightens their day, can make a difference.