The Validators

Are you up for making a difference today? Just take a look around you, and find an opportunity to compliment or thank someone for good service or a great attitude. For instance, from a cashier’s point of view this is likely to be the only difference between you and the hundreds of people both before and after you in line today. Have You Validated Anyone Today?

I’m excited to be presenting The Validation Experiment & a Facebook Marketing Training Session today at the Mend-A-Body Solutions Rejuvenation Day! 2012 is VALIDATED! If you haven’t taken on The 30 Day Challenge I highly recommend it. Now get out there and make it happen, people!

Try this quiz:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is that none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel, appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier?

The people who have made a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They’re the ones that care. Now take a second look at that second part of the quiz. Reach out to those people and validate them before it’s too late!

In the middle of an ordinary everyday moment, sitting in the living room putting on my boots, I glanced across the room at one of the game system consoles that the kids use. There were no controllers plugged into it, and staring straight back at me were 4 oversized circular ports where each controller plugs in. They have a “D” shape to them as you can see in the picture, and they are very rugged and simplistic. What’s interesting is that not only does the “D” shape prevent plugging the controller in wrong, the circular design also protects the pins in the controller plug from being bent or broken. Twist it any way you want, and press as hard as you want, but until the “D” shape is lined up, nothing gets plugged in and nothing gets damaged.

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One of the greatest responsibilities we have is to support ourselves and others in living at our highest and best. Whether we’re parents, friends or leaders, it’s incumbent upon us to help others to live as close to their unique potential as we can.

With everything we say and do, we’re influencing — positively or negatively — the people we care about. The ideal is to do this with consideration and intention. Here are ten ways you can help others see and realize the best that’s within them.

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