To be “seen” is to matter, in a small or big way. We all want to be seen, we all want to feel we matter, and that our work matters.
However, the first step to being seen is to see others. We fail to acknowledge that to be seen begins with “seeing others” first.
. . . If you’re among those who speak more about what’s missing than what’s present, you’re not seeing.
. . . If you’re among those who chatter at home more about how you hate your spouse’s routines, you’re not seeing.
. . . If you keep negatively speaking about your children’s habits rather than using words of praise, appreciation, and encouragement, you’re not seeing.
. . . If you often keep asking your colleagues to do better next time and have limited praise for what work they have done “this” time, you’re not seeing.
Detach yourself from talking habits that make you see more negative.
Try to speak more about accomplishments and achievements—even when the achievements seem small. They are still worth something, worth mentioning. Not to say you should encourage bragging and boasting, but it is worth more to use positive sentences, than those used for criticizing (sometimes disguised as suggestions).
More approval and admiration, than suggestion and implication, is the first step to seeing others (before others can see you).