The atmosphere is affirming: Industrialist Charles Schwab said, "I have yet to find the man . . . who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.

ENCOURAGE SOMEONE TODAY AND YOU MIGHT GET TO WATCH THEM BLOOM TOMORROW.

My friend Dan Reiland says, "A genuine friend encourages and challenges us to live out our best thoughts, honor our purest motives, and achieve our most significant dreams." That's what we need to do with the important people in our lives.

All people feel better and do better when you give them attention, affirmation, and appreciation.

5. Anybody who helps somebody influences a lot of bodies. What you give to one person overflows into the lives of all the people that person impacts. The nature of influence is to multiply.

How do you identify someone who needs encouragement? That person is breathing. TRUETT CATHEY

If you want to succeed at Level 4, you need to become an investor in people. This means adding value but also expecting to see a return on your investment—not in personal gain but in impact.

Mother Teresa said, "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.

You have to look at the person's gifts, temperament, passions, successes, joys, and opportunities. And once you find that seed, you need to fertilize it with encouragement and water it with opportunity. If you do, the person will blossom before your eyes.

Am I adding value to people?

Connect emotionally through facial expressions, laughter, and tears.

UCLA basketball coach John Wooden told players who scored to give a smile, wink, or nod to the player who gave them a good pass. "What if he's not looking?" asked a team member. Wooden replied, "I guarantee he'll look." Everyone values encouragement and looks for it.