Make every day Appreciation Day!

Do you feel appreciated? We certainly hope so! Margaret Cousins says, “Appreciation can make a day, even change a life.”
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum shows that they know the value of expressing appreciation. Last Sunday was Appreciation Day there. It was a chance for the Arboretum to publically appreciate their members and do some special things for them. Also, recently the Arboretum had an event to show appreciation for their volunteers. The Arboretum recognizes the importance of acknowledging the efforts of those who not only support the Arboretum financially through their memberships, but also those who contribute their time and talent to make the Arboretum the award-winning botanical garden that it is.
We recognize that appreciation plays a big part in every area of life. In the workplace, studies show that feeling appreciated at work is directly linked to employees having greater job satisfaction, greater productivity and increased happiness at work. In fact, feeling appreciated is often more important than the amount of compensation they receive. Being recognized for one’s efforts is a key factor at all levels of management. This should not be surprising because feeling appreciated is a basic human need.
Just as appreciation is, or should be, a core value in all organizations, we also see the importance of expressing appreciation in personal relationships. Research shows that when people feel appreciated they are more likely to stay in those relationships. This is true in marriages and also with friendships and extended family. Sometimes in personal relationships, people can be taken for granted and appreciation is only shown on special days such as birthdays. Instead, try to make every day Appreciation Day. Here are some simple ways to help people feel appreciated. Tell them that you appreciate them and be sure to tell them why. You can also do some things that help others feel appreciated, like making them a special dinner. Do an unexpected nice thing like writing a note or giving a card. When you are intentionally thoughtful and showing appreciation regularly for others, it will help them feel appreciated and valued. Also, it will help even good relationships to become better.
We mentioned that showing appreciation is helpful in the workplace and in personal relationships so we decided to talk to people at Arboretum Appreciation Day to find out their thoughts about appreciation.
We met Nathan Kells, who has been with the Arboretum for nine years in different capacities and is now Membership Manager for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. He was responsible for organizing Appreciation Day as a carnival theme with games, prizes, food and music for all to enjoy. He told us that they currently have 26,000 member households and membership is growing every year. Nathan offered, “We thought instead of having just one appreciation event, we probably should have two, just to make sure everyone can make it. We’ll be having another one in February.” We asked him why appreciation is important and he said, “Everything you see when you come to the Arboretum is paid for, part from the University of Minnesota, but most of it is from private donations and admission. So, membership is very important to sustaining the Arboretum and we figure that it’s very important for us to show our appreciation for members because they make all this happen. We couldn’t do it without them and the volunteers, who are also mostly members. They have a big hand in what we do here, too.”
Then we met Arboretum members, Marilyn and Larry Kassulker, and we asked them what they enjoyed about Appreciation Day and the Arboretum. Marilyn replied, “I think Appreciation Day is nice because it is giving back to the members – something fun for the families. Larry and I both enjoy coming here. I love to walk. It’s fun to come out here and just bring a book and sit and read. I love the beauty out here.” Larry offered, “I like it, too, that they give back to the members in appreciation. I come from a farming background and fifty years ago it was all woods. Now you come here to enjoy nature, trees and sanctuary for the birds. That’s what I like about it most.”

Here’s a challenge for you: Identify the people you appreciate. Then take action and let those people know you appreciate them and what you appreciate about them. When you show appreciation regularly, you can make every day Appreciation Day! We would enjoy hearing how you show appreciation for others. We also want to make sure that you know we appreciate you!

Chanhassen residents Doug and Lynn Nodland are Success Coaches and owners of The Balance Center. They can be contacted at WeCare@SharingLifesLessons.com

© Doug and Lynn Nodland 2017 Articles and videos may be shared in their entirety with attribution.