John M. Maxwell once said that ‘the power of encouragement is the oxygen of the soul’.

We often do not realize just how powerful encouragement can be to another person. It is much easier to shake your head and proclaim that something cannot be done and then try to convince the other person that you are doing them a favor by preventing failure in the making.

This morning, as I was on my last breath whilst exercising, the personal trainer just kept smiling at me and saying: ‘You can do it! I know there is more strength in you! Just a few more and we are done!’ And guess what? As it turned out, I could do more and push myself further than even I thought was possible.  The best thing about it was her smiling whilst totally destroying any strength left in my muscles for my own good. As a result, when our session ended I jokingly called her the smiling assassin.

Thinking back to that training session, why is it that we are often incapable of giving others positive feedback and energy and edging them on to achieve bigger and better things? We need to take a cue from the professionals like personal trainers in this department. Next time someone around you is having a hard time dealing with a particular issue or a project in their life, do not tell them why they cannot achieve the desired outcome, but think of one reason why they can. This is your opportunity to make a difference. Encourage others and never forget to smile!