Acknowledge Excellence

    Did you have a helpful or enthusiastic waiter at the last restaurant you went to? Call and tell the manager about the great experience you had. Do you still think about a college professor that impacted you? Write them a letter to thank them. Many jobs are thankless jobs, so remember how good it feels to be thought of and appreciated, even years later. Also, telling your friends and family about your good experiences with these people can help their business flourish.

Be More Thoughtful

    You know your coworker works really hard and can come in a bit bedraggled at the end of an arduous week. Why not walk up to her, say, “Good Morning!,” and hand her a vitamin-rich protein smoothie or fresh hand-pressed juice?

Give Your Old Clothes a Promotion

    Donate your unworn, professional clothing to dressforsuccess.org. This organization promotes economic independence for disadvantaged women by providing them with clothing they can wear to work, thereby advancing their career and confidence.

A Bagel and a Hug

    It’s easy to feel overwhelmed from everything that life throws your way. If you notice a friend or coworker struggling, be there for them. Bring them a bagel or coffee, or something simple to show them that you care. Take their mind off their challenges, if only for a moment.

Top of the Mornin’

    One of our fabulous interns here at Viva Editions, Sara Wigglesworth, has a lovely way of saying “Good morning” upon arriving that ensures it will actually be a better day. I have to admit that greeting coworkers sometimes slips my mind, so it’s helpful to be reminded of the power that a simple, well intentioned, and sincere greeting can have. It is a wonderful way to start the day with elegance and ease.

Treat People Well

    Bring homemade goodies to work. For many of us, we work five days a week with the same people in the same office for the same amount of hours. What could be more uplifting than  arriving at work to the sight and smell of baked goods or snacks? Make something that most people would enjoy, such as chocolate chip cookies or banana bread. The work environment will become much more warm and inviting, and making others feel good is one of the true pleasures in life.

Shower the People You Love with Love

After a wedding or party, donate all the flowers to a nursing home or hospital. Alternately, take them to your place of work and fill the entire office with beauty and love.

Do You Know How Great You Are?

    Compliment someone today, and mean it. A genuine compliment can boost someone’s confidence and that is a great feeling. If you like your coworker’s blouse or new haircut (or both!), tell her. Open and honest communication works wonders for developing relationships and makes everybody’s day a little bit nicer.

The Gift of Listening

    Listening is one of the greatest gifts you can give anyone. As humans we all want to be heard, so start by listening a little more each day. Listen to your children, your spouse, your friends, even the Chitty Cathy in your office. You, in turn, will be repaid by being listened to with far more attention and care.

Be More Thoughtful

    You know your coworker works really hard and can come in a bit bedraggled at the end of an arduous week. Why not walk up to her, say, “Good Morning!” and hand her a vitamin-rich protein smoothie or fresh hand-pressed juice? Or if it's virtual, send a funny GIF for encouragement?

Love the Ones You’re With

    We're now starting to enter a post-covid world, and we're all getting back together. Which is why I have seen this excellent exercise put into practice at work, family reunions, and dinner parties, and think there is to better time to try it out at your next gathering. It never fails to bring a group of people closer, and it brings out the best in anyone. Call everyone to attention and say you want to acknowledge your appreciation for the group. Time your moment well- whenever there is a lull in conversation would be best and never at the beginning of a get-together.

Give Your Old Clothes a Promotion

    Donate your unworn, professional clothing to dressforsuccess.org. This organization promotes economic independence for disadvantaged women by providing them with clothing they can wear to work, thereby advancing their careers and confidence.

Catch People Doing Something Right (and Make Sure They Know It)

    During difficult transitions, our natural tendency is often to resist change and grow rigid. In this state, we seem to only be able to focus on the negatives. We think about the despair that follows the death of a loved one, but not the wonderful moments spent together. We think of the heartbreak of a relationship ending, but not the exhilaration and freedom of being unattached. We might even scold our loved ones, or our friends, or coworkers for something minor when we ourselves wallow in similar negativity. But it is in these moments that gratitude can be used to alter this way of thinking.

    Finding positives and accentuating them is the easiest way to turn those proverbial frowns upside down and gray skies back to blue. Try catching someone doing something right for a change, not something wrong. Giving praise for a job well done will lift all parties involved.

Top of the Mornin'

    One of our fabulous interns here at Viva Editions,  Sara Wigglesworth, has a lovely way of saying "Good morning" upon arriving that ensures that it will actually be a better morning. I have to admit that greeting coworkers sometimes slips my mind, so it's helpful to be reminded of the power that a simple, well intentioned, and sincere greeting can have. It is a wonderful way to start the day with elegance and ease.

Treat People Well

    With the pandemic, it can be challenging to share something you worked hard on with people in your life. Like bringing homemade goodies to work. Even with social distancing and operating from our homes, for many of us, we work five days a week digitally with the same people for the same amount of hours. We need a sweet reward once restrictions are lifted, so what could be more uplifting than arriving the first day back to work to the sight and smell of baked goods or snacks? Make something that people would enjoy, such as chocolate chip cookies or banana break. The work environment will become much more warm and inviting than ever before, and making others feel good after a pandemic will be one of the truest pleasures in our lives.

Be a Good on Your Own Block

     Make a list of small things you can do around your house and place of work to conserve energy and water, stop waste, and increase recycling. Then start doing them!