What a way to start off the year (16 days in)!

Those of you who know me personally know that I am not a touchy feely person. I don’t put a lot of stock in motivational speakers, but I just have to tell you about an experience I had this weekend.

QPS held its’ annual strategic update meeting on Saturday, and everyone from QPS’ branches came together to discuss the upcoming year.

As most of you know, 2009 was pretty rough for the private sector. Many of us in the staffing industry were beat down and we really needed something to pick us back up and motivate us for the upcoming year. Our executive team at QPS hired Mary Jo Paloranta to speak at the meeting.

I can honestly say that she was the best speaker I have ever had the privilege of hearing. She immediately made me feel supported and like I was someone to be proud of. And let me tell you, after surviving the first big recession in my lifetime, and as much as I never thought I would, I needed to hear those words. When we are struggling and feeling down, sometimes there is nothing more that we need to hear than someone, even if that person is a stranger, telling us that they believe in us.

While I can’t speak for others, I know that Mary Jo made my day. So remember, be nice to those that you work with. Pay a compliment out loud to someone if you are thinking it in your head.

You never know what kind of an impact you can make on their lives.