There are days when I am reminded just how much impact words of encouragement can have on a person’s life. In the frantic rush of daily life, I often tell myself that I don’t have time to encourage others. However, this conclusion could not be further from the truth.

A word of encouragement, spoken with genuine kindness, can turn another person’s bad day into a good one. All it takes is an increased level of awareness of the world around you (millennials, this may involve removing your earbuds for awhile). In order to give someone a valuable word of encouragement, you will have to slow down and listen to the needs of people around you.

The thing that captivates me about words of encouragement is that we may or may not know the personal struggles of the other person. Encouraging a longtime friend can be different than encouraging an acquaintance, simple because we know more about their struggles. Positive words can be equally meaningful to friends, acquaintances and even total strangers.

I believe our technological age has something to do with our tendency to underestimate the power of our spoken words. We find it increasingly difficult to make eye contact, smile and make ourselves vulnerable. It’s so much safer to bury your nose in a screen (I do it too, no one can escape these social norms) than to invite a social interaction.

I find encouraging others fulfilling because it is a simple action that can be incredibly meaningful. Some people assume that there is risk involved on the part of the person giving the encouragement (will that person judge me?). My opinion is that I have nothing to lose, and the person has everything to gain. A word of encouragement can be just the boost you need to make it through a rough day, week or season of your life.

Today at work, I was reminded of the power of providing an encouraging word. I’m working at a teaching center, helping young kids with reading. Two students (I will call them Jack and Jill) both have a hard time focusing by the end of the day. Jack and I noticed Jill was having a really hard time, so I turned to him and said, “Let’s say, ‘You can do this, Jill!’”

After Jack and I had given our encouragement, Jill echoed our positive word, repeating, “You can do this, Jack!” Following this interaction, Jack turned to me and said, “Wow, that was really nice!” I wholeheartedly agreed and we returned to our work.

Jack and Jill both finished their sessions strong and I was so inspired by the way they supported and encouraged one another. Encouraging others costs us nothing, from both monetary and risk-taking perspectives. Simple words carry powerful positive benefits, both for the giver and the receiver.

If we take the time to slow down and listen, we discover that our world is filled with people and places where we can provide encouragement. Who are you going to encourage today?