There is a famous Zen dialogue in which the student says to the teacher, I’m feeling discouraged. What should I do?

The teacher responds by saying, “Encourage others.”

Of course, we all sometimes have the experience of feeling discouraged. It is only human for our expectations to not be met, to feel pain and difficulty, to want things to be different than they are. And, encouraging others is a simple, tangible activity -- with our family members, friends, and those we work with.

What are some ways that we can encourage other?

Active listening – Listening to someone, really listening, can be a great gift of encouragement. This is very different then solving someone’s problem. Listening means giving our full attention, and letting the person know that they have been heard.

Curiosity – Just be curious; inquire, wonder. Let go of your own ideas, just for a moment, and really try to understand another person. I sometimes tell my coaching clients that it is as though we all live on different planets – our experiences are vastly different. What is it like on this other person’s planet.

Generosity – Explore and experiment with being generous with your time, your attention, your joy. This is one of the greatest ways we can encourage others.