Be An Encourager

Scouts and Scouters are very aware that the road to success and the achievement of your dream can be hard. Daily you are struggling to improve, learn, and be excellent at what you do. Some days the dream seems so far away, and other days it is just out of reach. It is at those times that the encouragement of a true friend can make the difference between success and failure.

Encouragement is far more than just a pat on the back and a “you can do it” statement. Encouragement must be sincere, and the one giving it must believe it. Friends do believe that others can make it and can do what it takes to achieve their dream. Scouts are interested in and invested in the success of others. There is an excellent power there. Business author Robert Martin said, “Taking an interest in what others are thinking and doing is often a much more powerful form of encouragement than praise.”

“Encouragement is awesome.  It can actually change the course of another person’s day, week, or life.”  Chuck Swindoll

Pastor/Author

Scouts learn that people have great potential to succeed. They have seen and believe in the power of the human spirit. It is one thing to say that everyone can achieve their dreams; it is another to understand it and be willing to encourage it. Scouts believe in others so strongly that the people they encourage believe they can do it. As Mark Twain said, “Really great people make you feel that you too can become great.”

Encouragement, as with all the principles of Scouting, has the power to give back to the people giving it. When you encourage others, you feel encouraged in your own life. Scouts know that the better they make others feel, and the more they can encourage others to pursue their dreams, the more they too will succeed. It is just a law of nature. Encourage others, and you will be encouraged.

George Washington Carver said, “Since new developments are the products of a creative mind, we must, therefore, stimulate and encourage that type of mind in every way possible.” Scouts can effectively encourage others because they genuinely believe in others. You never know if that person you are encouraging will be the one to change the world. All they may need is support and encouragement from you.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey