“To improve your self-image, do something for someone else.”
—Author unknown
The other day, one of us found a note slipped under the door. It was from a person we had not seen in almost a year. When I opened it, I was surprised to find a thank-you note…for things I had done long ago. So long ago, in fact, that I had all but forgotten them.
The timing was perfect. It had been a rough day—actually, a rough week. Reading those kinds words made me realize that although we may not see the results of our recognition efforts right away, nothing is done in vain.
I first built him up. Then he built me up. I call it the Boomerang Effect: the recognition you give away always returns to you.