Motivational Monday…Just One Encouraging Word or Comment

By
Home Stager

Motivational Monday…Just One Encouraging Word or Comment

 

Buzz Mackintosh wrote an excellent post for this month’s December 2022 Challenge-A Guide for Blogging Success in which he shared his tips. He mentioned that like many of us here, he started out as a  lurker.

It reminded me of my early days here. I lurked, read a lot of posts, and started commenting. I finally wrote my first post after being here for about 3 months. 


After that, I continued to read posts and comment but did not write another post.

 

 

Encouragement #1 

Six months later, I was telling a fellow ActiveRain member/stager about what had just happened with my first vacant home staging. 

He said, “You should write about that in a post for ActiveRain.” 

 

So six months to the day after my first post, I wrote my second post, thanks to this member. 

 

 

Encouragement #2 

Well, I didn’t exactly become a prolific blogger after that second post but I did write another one and many more. 

I wasn’t sure if I could do this but then someone commented on my post…

“You should blog more…You do a good job.”  (or something to that effect) 

My own “Ah ha” moment and it was just what I needed to push me through the “I don’t think I can do this” stage.


 



My point is, in our blogging here…in our work or personal lives…often all it takes is just one encouraging word, gesture, thumbs up, pat on the back, or comment to give someone the confidence to move forward.



 

Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair.
Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble.
Yehuda Berg

 

Correction does much, but encouragement does more.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments (24)

Kat Palmiotti
406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR® - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

A word of encouragement can do wonderful things - both when getting and giving!

Enjoy your week!

Dec 19, 2022 05:01 AM
Kathy Streib

you're right Kat Palmiotti It always feels good to give. 

Dec 19, 2022 08:00 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

I never lurked here in the Rain Kathy, but after I received my first comment, I did find encouragement in sticking with this.

Dec 19, 2022 05:40 AM
Kathy Streib

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 I need to check to see what my first comment was!!!

Dec 19, 2022 08:01 PM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
Relocation to NW AZ with elbow room & more freedom

Writing for me started with several venues: EzineArticles,  a weekly business column for a local printed newspaper that was sold to a much larger newspaper, LinkedIn Articles and writing for this Texas Business Journal NBiz. All of this prompted writing for my blog and joining AR was just another extension for me.

I believe authentic comments build trust and show our human side.

Dec 19, 2022 05:42 AM
Kathy Streib

Leanne Smith I wish I'd had that!!!  I had no idea what this "blogging" was about. 

Dec 19, 2022 08:02 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Good post Kathy. I think we get so wrapped up in our lives we forget what is really important.

Dec 19, 2022 06:18 AM
Kathy Streib

You're right Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty we do get wrapped up in what we're doing and forget!!  I want  to get back to trying to comment on first-time bloggers' posts. 

Dec 19, 2022 08:03 PM
Brian England
Arizona Focus Realty - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I love encouraging others!  I am also not opposed to holding people accountable for their actions either, haha.

Dec 19, 2022 06:30 AM
Kathy Streib

Brian England I know you do!!! At the same time, you always make good comments!!!

Dec 19, 2022 08:05 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kathy, I think we all started out as a lurker, trying to find out HOW to blog.

Dec 19, 2022 06:37 AM
Kathy Streib

That's exactly what I did Joan Cox I didn't know a soul here and had never done anything like this. But I loved the posts I was reading. 

Dec 19, 2022 08:05 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Kathy,

A very positive post. We all can be nurturing and we find that in the AR community. Words of encouragement can do wonderful things - both when giving or receiving them!

Dec 19, 2022 06:44 AM
Kathy Streib

Dorie Dillard Austin TX when we can be supportive of others it comes back to us as well. 

Dec 19, 2022 08:06 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Kathy,

One of the reasons AR is such a successful platform is because of all the positivity members show in their posts and comments. Have a great Monday!

Dec 19, 2022 07:27 AM
Kathy Streib

I agree Sheri Sperry - MCNE® I've seen a lot of snarkiness on other sites. 

Dec 19, 2022 08:06 PM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Kathy looking at your first post, you have become an amazing blogger. Happy Monday, Bill.

Dec 19, 2022 07:33 AM
Kathy Streib

Thank you Bill Salvatore - East Valley Not too bad for someone who had absolutely no idea what she was doing. 

Dec 19, 2022 08:07 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hello Kathy - some blogging strategies are built with the sage advice you shared here.  Dare I say yours started with a buzz-of-sorts and this post was inspired by one as well.  Except this time, it was Buzz Mackintosh.

Dec 19, 2022 08:12 AM
Kathy Streib

Well said Michael Jacobs ...you wordsmith!!!

Dec 19, 2022 08:08 PM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Hi, Kathy.

I found my voice in ActiveRain because of encouragement and support from someone like you! Thank you for this post.

Dec 19, 2022 08:14 AM
Kathy Streib

Aura Alex you have written so many excellent posts and in doing so, you too are inspiring many!!!!!   

Dec 19, 2022 08:09 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Words of encouragement can have more impact than we even realize when giving them...I'm glad you received that early encouragement so now we can all enjoy your blogging! 

Dec 19, 2022 08:19 AM
Kathy Streib

Lise Howe Thank you. When you consider that you're  putting yourself out there and you have no idea if anyone will read  your post and if they do what they'll think of it...that's not easy. 

Dec 19, 2022 08:10 PM
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street Topsfield, MA - Georgetown, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Good Morning Kathy Streib I was sharing with Dorie Dillard Austin TX that I need some motivational quotes today. I like this one that you shared

 

Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair.
Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble.
Yehuda Berg

Dec 19, 2022 08:22 AM
Kathy Streib

Doug Dawes I'm glad you like that quote...I'd never read it until before I wrote this post. Words can hurt and heal, can't they. It's why we need to choose them carefully. 

Dec 19, 2022 08:12 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy you were very fortunate to have received that encouragement from that AR member.  The tongue is a very small part of our bodies, but it has the power to do spark great good or bad.

Dec 19, 2022 11:03 AM
Kathy Streib

George Souto Love what you said about the tongue...something that I quite often have to bite!!!!  

Dec 19, 2022 08:13 PM
Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Well please thank that person that encouraged you to write! We all benefit by reading your posts every day Kathy!!  And I like how George Souto said it......use your tongue wisely (ok my words, but I like his suggestion and took in another direction).  Encouragement works wonders!

Dec 19, 2022 02:01 PM
Kathy Streib

YOU Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker are always encouraging!!!! Encouraging others is a way of giving back for what we've been given. and yes, I love George Souto's tongue comment. 

Dec 19, 2022 08:15 PM
John Pusa
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Crest - Glendale, CA
Your All Time Realtor With Exceptional Service

Hello Kathy Streib thank you for the excellent educational blog on to motivate and encourage others to blog.

Dec 19, 2022 08:18 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I don’t know if you remember Karen Stone but when I first started blogging she inspired me on a daily basis and told me how I could improve. God bless your soul Kathy…

Dec 19, 2022 08:18 PM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Listen closely and you'll hear me singing Home on the Range with Roy Rogers

Dec 19, 2022 08:20 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I remember wanting to lurk for a bit when first joining ActiveRain.  However, my broker kept pushing me to jump in!🙃

Dec 19, 2022 09:05 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Well you certainly DID become a prolific blogger!

Having even just a few comments or "likes" on a post can really motivate us in the right direction.

Dec 20, 2022 07:29 AM