It’s no surprise that there are lots of benefits to feeling appreciated. But the benefits of showing appreciation may be less obvious.
Often when we show our appreciation for others, we think of it as something we are doing for them. And, to an extent, that is true. We want them to feel valued and recognized; we want them to know that they are appreciated.
But showing appreciation for others can also have amazing benefits for you, too. Let’s take a look at some of the ways showing appreciation for others can be good for you.
Productive Employees
There is a sea of evidence proving that employees who feel appreciated are much more productive than those who don’t. While this certainly isn’t the main reason to show appreciation for your employees (like, for example, that they deserve it and it makes them feel good), it is a tangible business benefit to doing the right thing. Showing your employees how much you appreciate them is one of the easiest win-win situations in the book.
Loyal Customers
Customers know when they aren’t being appreciated. In fact, according to data from the U.S. Small Business Administration, 68% of customers end a business relationship because they don’t feel appreciated or cared about. That’s a lot more than the 14% who ditch a business because they don’t like the product. When you show appreciation to your customers, it humanizes you. It makes them realize that you know them and they matter. Showing appreciation for your customers builds loyalty, which not only leads to that single life-long customer, but makes them more likely to make a referral or recommendation.
Deeper Connections
Not all of the benefits of showing appreciation are specific to business, either. When you acknowledge someone’s value, you forge a connection with that person, regardless of their role in your life. This isn’t measured in dollars and cents, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. Showing appreciation is a way of acknowledging a person’s value, which is something the entire world could do with more of.
Feeling Happier
When you show appreciation or gratitude for someone, they feel happier. But so do you! In one study, people who wrote in gratitude journals reported higher levels of happiness, and even some health improvements compared with a control group.
How to Show Appreciation
We covered some tips on how to better show appreciation in our last post. But here are some specific things you can do to show someone they are valued:
Say Thank You
Seems obvious, right? But sometimes we still forget how important these two simple words really are. We might think it’s obvious that we appreciate someone’s help or support. But sometimes we forget the part about actually saying (or writing) thank you.
Show Additional Trust
This can come in a personal or professional context, and can be incredibly meaningful. If someone has proven themselves to be a trustworthy and supportive person in your life, consider entrusting them with additional responsibilities. In a business context, this might come in the form of a promotion. In personal relationships, it might be simply sharing your own vulnerabilities.
Give a Thoughtful Gift
Gifts are a time-honored way to show your appreciation, in both business and personal relationships. A gift shows that you are thinking about them, and that you want to go above and beyond a simple thank you. One tip, though, make sure to include a note as well (bonus points if it’s handwritten) expressing your specific appreciation. It makes the gift that much more impactful if the person knows what they are being acknowledged for. Sending gifts can be time-consuming, especially if you have trouble choosing the perfect gift. EvaBot can help you out there, complete with the handwritten note.
Bottom Line:
Showing appreciation benefits everyone. When you show gratitude and appreciation, it makes you happier and healthier. So, give yourself the gift of happiness and send someone a thoughtful gift today!
Source: evabot