I know this topic is going to hit home for many of us. How many times throughout your life have you been noticed, but not necessarily acknowledged? To simplify my question I will define the two terms. Notice means to actually observe or pay attention. You can notice a behavior, person, or object. Acknowledge is when you bring importance or recognition to the quality of that behavior, person, or object. For example: you go out to eat with your significant other and someone he/she knows comes over to the table and they began talking. The person speaks to you out of courtesy because they notice you sitting at the table, but your significant other doesn’t introduce or acknowledge you as such and they continue their conversation. How would that make you feel? If you’re anything like me, then I’m sure upset, hurt, and disrespected comes to mind.
What about someone’s behavior? Have you ever been in a situation where someone has offended you and they notice how “different you’ve been acting”, but they don’t acknowledge the role they played in what has caused you to distance yourself from them? I hear a lot of people talking about not being noticed of their good efforts in: relationships, at their jobs, by family members or by society. I think the bigger issue is not being acknowledged by them. It’s easy for someone to notice you, but if they don’t put importance toward your efforts or you as a person, it has more of a negative impact on you. Everyone loves being recognized, but even more so they want to feel important and valued. No one wants to be ignored!
Why is acknowledging someone more impactful than noticing them? Because it can help boost their self esteem, morale, make them feel valued, and that they matter. Imagine working hard on your job everyday and going above and beyond what’s expected, but all you get is a “good job” occasionally. How would you feel? Not valued, I would assume. Now imagine those same efforts you put into your job and you start getting: incentives, raises, promotions, and bonuses for your efforts. Wouldn’t you feel appreciated, valued or important? I know I would! Let’s start showing appreciation to the people around us by acknowledging them.
If you are unsure of ways to acknowledge someone here are a few ideas: say “thank you”, give them a gift, hug them, make eye contact when talking to them, compliment or praise them, let them know verbally that you appreciate them, give them positive feedback, be present in their lives, don’t break your promises to them, and treat them as your equal. We are all human and I’m sure there are times when we don’t feel like we get the appreciation or acknowledgement the we deserve, but as a wise man once said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
Uninterrupted Thoughts 