This morning I awoke feeling tired and miserable. It's no wonder; I had been trying to fix an issue for one of my clients, and I didn't figure out how to address the issue until just after 1:30 in the morning, and didn't get the issue totally fixed until just after 3AM. And, unfortunately, when I spend that kind of time on something, it's all I dream about, which helps to make my brain tired.

Anyway, I called my client, who's also a friend, and told him I had fixed his problem, and all was right with the world. He asked me if I could come over to his office, as he'd made something he wanted to give me for helping him out. I figured he didn't owe me anything, as I did what he pays me for, but I also decided I needed to get out of the office, so I went.

While there, I was telling him about some of the trials and tribulations of my professional life over the last couple of months. Suffice it to say, there have been better times than right now, though there have also been worse times. He offered me words of encouragement, telling me his history and how he was once in the same position I'm in now. He also said some very nice things about me and some things he's seen that I've done; trust me, I needed the boost. Then we went into another room and he showed me what he'd made for me and my wife; I was touched.

Words of encouragement can turn a frown into a smile in a heartbeat. Even when someone doesn't need it, positive reinforcement can work wonders. You don't even have to be a manager or leader in any fashion to offer nice words to someone else. Carol Burnett used to talk about going places and seeing people who didn't seem to be in the best of moods, and she'd find something to say to that person that would compliment then in some fashion, and whether they knew who she was or not they would always smile.

So, I want to say all of you who read this are special people, and I know you'll have nothing but success the rest of the week.