It feels good to be appreciated. Not only does it affirm what you hopefully already know about yourself, but it is really nice to know that someone notices your work, friendship, and/or gesture.

Throughout my life I have always been told that just because someone doesn’t appreciate or notice you and your accomplishments, doesn’t make them any less significant. While this is absolutely true, there is merit to the fact that when someone shows appreciation for a job well done, it just feels good.

I am incredibly lucky to have a summer job where I work with people who greatly appreciate the work that I do and show their appreciation through their respect, communication, and straight-up telling me that they appreciate me. I have been working the same summer job for four years now and even the staff members who have only worked with me for a few days already show their appreciation for the fact that they couldn’t do their jobs as well as they do without the work that I do. I know I have flaws as everyone does, but the people I work with are able to see past them and understand that I am doing my best for the good of business.

As good as it feels to be appreciated, it is just as important to show appreciation. As I stated earlier, just because someone doesn’t appreciate you doesn’t mean you aren’t doing work that isn’t worth appreciation. It is much harder to keep doing what you know is right and good when people just take you for granted, which is why it is so important to show appreciation for a job well done by someone else. People are much more likely to continue good work when they believe others see it as good work as well.

So go appreciate people, do work that will be appreciated, and don’t take people for granted!