Things to Know About Appreciation

If you were to develop a mathematical formula about appreciation, what would it look like?

Here’s mine.

     A=(E×C)+(P−D)

Where: 

• A represents appreciation.
• E denotes positive experiences or events. 
• C symbolizes the level of recognition or acknowledgment received. 
• P stands for personal perspective or emotional state. 
• D accounts for the potential negative effects of excessive appreciation, acting as a dampening factor. 

This formula suggests that appreciation is influenced by positive experiences, recognition, and personal perspective, while considering the need to be cautious about the potential negative effects of excessive praise.

However, I know that appreciation is a complex and subjective concept that goes beyond a simple mathematical representation.

Discover why and how this formula emerged, rooted in one of my experiences and realizations, as you read about the particular instance below.

“Appreciation can change a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.”
 – Margaret Cousins

Student life metaphorically mirrors the ebb and flow of tides. There are moments when you’re stressed, juggling deadlines for different courses. Yet, there are also times when you can kick back, feeling relaxed and confident after successfully meeting those deadlines.

 This morning, I attended my cognate class and left with a sense of satisfaction and increased confidence. Why? Our professor acknowledged our group’s efforts and suggested publishing our work.

Reflecting on the conversation and my feelings afterward, I noticed a surge of energy and confidence. It motivated me to do well again, not just to impress the professor, but because I genuinely enjoyed the positive emotions and wanted to experience them again.

This experience made me realize the impact of appreciation. Despite the adage about everything having both positive and negative sides, when appreciation is taken into the right context, it can significantly boost someone’s confidence and push them to achieve extraordinary feats.

Appreciation brings people into the right mindset, fueling them to work harder without feeling the burden. They view challenges as enjoyable rather than arduous tasks, resulting in outputs that surpass expectations.

However, it also made me realize the need to be cautious. Constant and excessive appreciation can be addictive, leading to an inflated ego and causing individuals to become indifferent to others’ opinions and suggestions. Thus, the key here is self-awareness to stay grounded.

Remember that appreciation isn’t always explicit; it can be subtle. As a student, it may come in the form of a smile, a nod, a facial expression, or other gestures. Therefore, if you’re feeling unappreciated, pay attention to the actions of those around you.

Simple gestures or jokes might carry immense appreciation for your contributions or just your presence in their lives.

Moreover, don’t limit yourself by believing that valid appreciation comes only from others. Begin appreciating yourself in case no one has, and everything else will fall into place.

Also, if given the chance, choose to be the channel of appreciation for others. In this modern age, you never know who really needs it the most.