Daily Synopsis of Maxwell Daily Reader, by John Maxwell
February 12
Title: Write Notes of Encouragement
Excerpt From: 25 Ways to Win with People
Action Taken Today: Write someone a note of encouragement.
Synopsis:
Like many of John Maxwell’s philosophy and teachings at their core the concepts are simple. Many of his principles are deliberately obvious, yet the execution of all the actions he preaches takes time, effort, and requires a leader to be thoughtful.
Today’s maxim is something I do already practice. I’ve included a front and back picture of two cards I use, one is personal the other business. Over the years I’ve learned I get more buy-in from individuals when I express sincerely their importance to a team or endeavor, further sending people these types of handwritten notes when I know they are struggling places that person on a path of reinvigorated performance often surpassing expectations.
Business:
Quote on the back states:
“Luck is what happens when preperation meets opportunity.” -Seneca
Personal:
Quote on the back says:
“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” -Sun Tzu
Maxwell, uses a short anecdote from the life of Walt Whitman to emphasize the point. Whitman as a young author struggled, and his first work Leaves of Grass wasn’t a critical or commercial success. We can only assume Whitman’s highgly emotional personality wasn’t doing well, yet a simple note from another author I’m sure gave him hope, and helped him down the path of literary creation.
“Dear Sir, I am not blind to the worth of the wonderful gift of Leaves of Grass. I find it the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed. I greet you at the beginning of a great career.”
The letter was signed Ralph Waldo Emerson. Can you be an Emerson to a Whitman in your life today?
Could you imagine a world today without the following words in the great ether of life?
of all poems,
of suns left,)
through the eyes of the dead, nor feed on the spectres in
books,
Favorite Quote:
“Written encouragement comes directly from the heart, uninterrupted and uninhibited. That’s why it’s so powerful.” –Dr. David Jeremiah author of The Power of Encouragement