99 Acts of Praise - Ideas to Get You Started

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A helpful way to think about Practicing Praise is to “chunk” it into different “practices”. While you are always “Practicing Praise” (much like lawyers “practice law”), they tend to fall into specific “practices”. 

Here is a list of Practices you may want to consider:

Family Practice (FAM)

o  Your family does some amazing things and there are many opportunities to recognize good work. It’s more than just sending Birthday cards.

Friends Practice (FRND)

o  Friends are an important part of our day-to-day living and it’s important to be on the watch-out for friends doing great things. Rise above just sending a text or posting on their Facebook wall. 

Community Practice (COM)

o  People in your community are working hard to make a difference. Why not recognize the next person you see in the local newspaper that has done something special?

Work Practice (WRK)

o  We spend a ton of time with people at work, yet we often don’t make praise part of our day-to-day activity. We also tend to be more “business-like” and send an e-mail with a copy to their boss. Nice to do, but a personally created card of praise will have far greater impact!

Support Practice (SUP)

o  Who is on your Practicing Praise Target List?

World Practice (WRLD)

o  Moving outside our immediate communities to the state, country and world will open us to even more people doing great things.

Just to get your mind stimulated, here are some situations that you may see that you may encounter that may be worthy of praise, thoughtfulness and recognition:

1)  You get great service at a restaurant. (SUP)

2)  You get special attention at a retail store. (SUP)

3)  You see an article in the paper about someone doing something special. (COM)

4)  You hear a great presentation. (WRK), (COM)

5)  A radio DJ makes you laugh on the way to work. (SUP)

6)  A new store opens and you really enjoy your first visit. (SUP), (COM)

7)  The food at a restaurant is amazing. (SUP)

8)  You read a great book. (SUP), (WRLD)

9)  The flowers you bought for your spouse look incredible and last over a week. (SUP)

10)  Someone on your team at work celebrates an anniversary. (WRK)

11)  Your doctor helps you through a medical situation with grace and compassion. (SUP)

12)  Your child makes the team. (FAM)

13)  The produce you purchased is amazing. (SUP)

14)  You read an editorial that makes you think. (COM), (WRLD)

15)  You finish a project at work and recognize the contributors. (WRK)

16)  You had a great time at a party. (FRND)

17)  Your IT department comes through with a quick fix. (WRK)

18)  The place you get coffee every morning makes you feel special. (SUP)

19)  A comedian makes you laugh. (SUP)

20)  Your spouse does something special. (FAM)

21)  The pilot on your plane is entertaining. (SUP)

22)  The sports radio guys have you laughing in the car. (SUP)

23)  Your office gets a great cleaning. (WRK), (SUP)

24)  The cashier at the grocery store has a great attitude. (SUP)

25)  You try a new restaurant and have a great experience. (SUP)

26)  The recommendation from the nursery on what flowers to plant works out great. (SUP)

27)  You observe a flight attendant being especially attentive and helpful to another passenger. (WRLD)

28)  You attend a particularly great concert or play. (SUP)

29)  Your neighbor helps you out with a project. (FRND)

30)  The hanging baskets that your town puts up every summer look wonderful. (COM)

31)  You read a cartoon in the paper and laugh out loud. (SUP)

32)  The wine recommendation from your liquor store works out great. (SUP)

33)  The phone store person gives you a tip that fixes your phone. (SUP)

34)  Your company has a great month/quarter/year. (WRK)

35)  The cab driver is really caring and helpful to you. (SUP)

36)  You meet someone new at a meeting. (FRND), (WRK)

37)  The steak you bought is incredibly tender. (SUP)

38)  You read an article in a magazine that inspires you. (SUP)

39)  Your host makes a really special meal that blows you away. (FRND)

40)  The cable company quickly resolves an issue for you. (SUP)

41)  The advice you got on how to get rid of weeds in your lawn works. (SUP)

42)  Your spouse makes a great meal. (FAM)

43)  You love your new haircut. (SUP)

44)  The hotel staff was amazing at check-in. (SUP)

45)  A nurse is especially kind and personable to you. (SUP)

46)  You go to a town/county park and have a great time and think the place looks great. (COM), (SUP)

47)  You get positive feedback about one of your employees. (WRK)

48)  You get excellent service when you get your oil changed/car serviced. (SUP)

49)  The plumber/electrician/repair person does a nice job. (SUP)

50)  Dessert at a restaurant is over the top delicious. (SUP)

51)  A vendor gives a great presentation that makes you think. (WRK)

52)  You see that the local food shelter is celebrating an anniversary. (COM)

53)  You participate in a webinar and come away with great ideas. (SUP), (WRK)

54)  Your child goes off to college. (FAM)

55)  You see a young worker helping an older person with their groceries and they smile and refuse a tip. (COM)

56)  Your pastor inspires you. (SUP)

57)  You enjoy a local festival. (SUP)

58)  You stay at a hotel that provides an outstanding overall experience. (SUP)

59)  The decorator gives you great advice and the choices work really well. (SUP)

60)  You meet an old friend for breakfast and have a really great experience. (FRND)

61)  You enjoy a round of golf with friends and pace of play is great. (SUP)

62)  The senior center sells homemade cookies and they are delicious. (COM)

63)  You visit a zoo/aquarium/attraction and are impressed with the hospitality. (SUP)

64)  The bread you bought from the bakery blows you away. (SUP)

65)  Someone on your team makes a really positive comment about another team member. (WRK)

66)  You hear a song that you really love. (SUP)

67)  You feel welcomed in a retail store. (SUP)

68)  Your boss does something great. (WRK)

69)  The coach makes an impact on your child. (FAM), (SUP), (COM)

70)  You get really fast turnaround and shipping on an online order. (SUP)

71)  You read a really inspiring book. (SUP)

72)  A friend gets promoted. (FRND)

73)  The bartender is super friendly and makes your day/evening. (SUP)

74)  You take a funny picture of your dog and want to make your spouse’s day. (FAM)

75)  Your investment portfolio does well. (SUP)

76)  You see a play and think it is fantastic. (SUP)

77)  Your child’s teacher inspires your child. (COM)

78)  You ask where something is in a store and the store clerk cheerfully takes you to the item. (SUP)

79)  The grounds in a town park look spectacular. (COM), (SUP)

80)  You are inspired by a quote that you receive as part of a daily quote e-mail. (SUP)

81)  You observe a worker at a convenience store/gas station working hard sweeping and picking up litter. (COM)

82)  Someone gives you good advice. (SUP)

83)  Your child does well on a test. (FAM)

84)  A friend gets a hole in one. (FRND)

85)  A friend does something nice for you. (FRND)

86)  You go to your local farmer’s market and walk away completely impressed with the operation and experience. (COM), (SUP)

87)  Your financial advisor takes extra time to create a presentation for you. (SUP)

88)  You see a picture from a few years ago and want to reconnect with a friend. (FRND)

89)  You spend a night at a friends home and have a great time. (FRND)

90)  You have a wonderful dinner at someone’s home. (FRND)

91)  You read a great blog post. (SUP), (WRLD)

92)  A friend shares a recipe and the dish receives high praise. (FRND)

93)  Someone does something nice for someone else. (COM), (WRLD)

94)  A politician or leader gives a great speech. (COM), (WRLD)

95)  The fast food worker was especially pleasant and helpful. (SUP)

96)  You catch your kid doing something great. (FAM)

97)  A flight attendant has a great time on a flight entertaining passengers. (SUP) 

98)  You watch a documentary that makes you re-think a position. (COM), (WRLD), (SUP)

99)  You get through airport security in record time. (SUP)