When I was in college, my internship supervisor thanked me for the work I did every time I left a shift. It was a simple, “Thank you for your work today. I appreciate you.”
At first, it was weird. I’d justify that I hadn’t done much, so why was she thanking me? But then I grew to appreciate being appreciated.
And I assumed, incorrectly, that all leaders were like this.
It confused me how so many managers I worked for didn’t appreciate their staff - or didn’t know how to show it.
Because it can be so simple, requiring only attention and intention.
Paying attention to what others do
And being intentional about letting them know the difference they make.
I’ve thought a lot about attention and intention and all the places they show up in life:
Do I let my partner know how much I appreciate him? How can I be more intentional about showing him I notice all the ways he makes my life easier and better?
Do I show my children how much I value them? Do I pay attention and catch them being good so I can celebrate them? Am I generous with my praise and love?
Do my colleagues know what I appreciate about them? My parents? My neighbors? Our postal carrier? The clerk at the grocery store? The nice man at Target who reached something on the high shelf for me?
And, probably most importantly, am I appreciating myself? Do I pay attention to my growth, or do I focus on my shortcomings? Do I celebrate my wins and progress? Or do I shrug them off as no big deal?
It will come as no surprise, my friend, that my journal is my partner in attention and intention.
My journal is where I pay attention to what’s happening in my life. Where I take the time to look both on the surface and deep down below and notice changes, where I record the progress I’m making, highlight my successes.
And I’m intentional about focusing on the good. It’s naturally easy for me to see the negative; I have to work harder to find the positive. But it has gotten easier with time and practice. I’m intentional about finding opportunities to celebrate - even if it’s a tiny win, it’s still a step in the right direction.
Here’s what I’ve learned: it’s easier to see the good in others when I’m willing to see the good in myself. And that it’s easier to see the good in myself when I have practice seeing the good in others.
It just takes a bit of attention and intention.
Where are you placing yours?
Use these prompts as written or as inspiration to uncover what you need in your life this week. And know that I’m always here to support you and answer questions you have along the way!
What in your life could benefit from a little extra attention?
What in your life could benefit from a little extra intention?
Who can you show you appreciate a little more deeply?
How can you show yourself a little more appreciation?
One Journaling Idea I Love:
The Garden Journal
Every year I’m sure I’ll remember exactly what I planted where, how I amended the soil, how much I harvested. And every year I think I should keep a garden journal so I don’t have to store all of this in my head!
This year may just be the year I do it. Two years ago, I learned if I want to grow sunflowers, I can’t plant seeds directly in the garden - we have too many chipmunks for that. Last year I learned that the chipmunks like tender sunflower seedlings as much as they love sunflower seeds. Writing all of this down should help me remember to make sure my sunflower starts are really sturdy before I put them outside if I want a crop!
Use your garden journal to track what you planted and where, how you cared for your garden, what the weather conditions were, and so forth.
Looking for Some Accountability with Your Journaling?
Introducing the Journal-along Membership!
This is for folks who don’t necessarily need any help with their journaling, but want the accountability, who benefit from having a structure to journal.
Join me to journal on Zoom Monday - Thursday mornings from 7:30 - 8:00 am Eastern.
This will be a silent working session and cameras off are totally fine. I’ll screen share a prompt each day for folks who wish to use it.
Stay for the whole 30 minutes or pop in for a long as makes sense for you.
Just $47 a month.
Sign up for your spot and to be held accountable HERE.
More Good Stuff
Did you see I have a new journaling guide? Get your free copy of Five Questions to Create A Journaling Practice You Love HERE.
This month’s Journaling Mini-Retreat will be on Wednesday, June 21 at 7:30 pm Eastern. Click HERE to register.
Happy Journaling!
Loved this post, Amanda!
For the last I-don't-know-how-many years my parents - avid gardeners - have kept a garden journal in a day-to-a-page undated - each day of each month just has a number against it, not a named day of the week. Each of their entries on any given date starts with a note of what year the note is made, and what happened in the garden that day that was worth recording - seed potatoes planted; new hens arrived; heard the first cuckoo; record-breaking cherry harvest - and so on. I really love the idea, and it's a fabulous record of their beautiful garden.
Over time it has given amazing insight into the turning of the seasons - how late this year's spring was compared to last year's, for example.