How to give a compliment

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• Be generous with your compliments. Kindness is free. Everyone has at least one talent, skill, aspect, or quirk to recommend themselves to the world. Find that thing and recognize it – it’s that easy. Tip: specific, personalized compliments tend to be most meaningful.
• And if making people feel better doesn’t appeal to you, scientific studies have shown the power of compliments to improve personal wellness and increase influence in social and business circles.
• Scientists have found that being paid a compliment actually lights up the same parts of our brains that get activated when you get paid a monetary award.
• Remember the Golden Rule of communications: “They won’t remember what you say, only how you make them feel.”

Further Reading

The Big Freaking List of Compliments

Compliments sources: Very Well Mind, Think Kindness, Happier

• Actions speak louder than words, and yours tell an incredible story.
• Any team would be lucky to have you on it.
• Aside from food. You’re my favorite.
• Babies and small animals probably love you.
• Being around you is like being on a happy little vacation.
• Being around you makes everything better.
• Colors seem brighter when you’re around.
• Defenseless animals are drawn to you.
• Everyone gets knocked down sometimes, but you always get back up and keep going.
• Everyone gets knocked down sometimes; only people like you get back up again and keep going.
• Everything would be better if more people were like you.
• Hanging out with you is always a blast.
• Hanging out with you is always fun.
• Has anyone ever told you that you have great posture?
• How do you keep being so funny and making everyone laugh?
• How is it that you always look great, even in sweatpants?
• How is it that you always look so great, even if you’re in ratty pajamas?
• I am so proud of you, and I hope you are too! 
• I appreciate you.
• I bet you do crossword puzzles in ink.
• I bet you do the crossword puzzle in ink.
• I bet you make babies smile.
• I bet you sweat glitter.
• I like your style.
• If cartoon bluebirds were real, a bunch of them would be sitting on your shoulders singing right now.
• If someone based an Internet meme on you, it would have impeccable grammar.
• If you were a box of crayons, you’d be the giant name-brand one with the built-in sharpener.
• If you were a scented candle they’d call it Perfectly Imperfect (and it would smell like summer).
• In high school I bet you were voted “most likely to keep being awesome.”
• Is that your picture next to “charming” in the dictionary?
• Jokes are funnier when you tell them.
• On a scale from 1 to 10, you’re an 11.
• Our community is better because you’re in it.
• Our system of inside jokes is so advanced that only you and I get it. And I like that.
• Somehow you make time stop and fly all at the same time.
• Someone is getting through something hard right now because you’ve got their back. Nice work.
• Thank you for being you.
• That color is perfect on you.
• That thing you don’t like about yourself is what makes you really interesting.
• The people you love are lucky to have you in their lives.
• The way you always know when someone needs something is amazing.
• The way you treasure your loved ones is incredible.
• There’s ordinary, and then there’s you.
• When I’m down you always say something encouraging to help me feel better.
• When you make a mistake, you fix it.
• When you make a mistake, you try to fix it.
• When you make up your mind about something, nothing stands in your way.
• When you make up your mind, nothing stands in your way.
• When you say you will do something, I trust you.
• When you say, “I meant to do that,” I totally believe you.
• When you’re not afraid to be yourself is when you’re most incredible.
• Who raised you? They deserve a medal for a job well done.
• You always find something special in the most ordinary things.
• You always know how to find that silver lining.
• You always know just what to say.
• You always know — and say — exactly what I need to hear when I need to hear it.
• You are an incredible human.
• You are beautiful on the inside and outside. 
• You are brave.
• You are enough.
• You are glowing—and that’s the least interesting thing about you, too.
• You are making a difference.
• You are perfect just the way you are.
• You are really kind to people around you.
• You are the most perfect you there is.
• You bring out the best in other people.
• You could survive a zombie apocalypse.
• You deserve a hug right now.
• You have a good head on your shoulders.
• You have a great sense of humor.
• You have cute elbows. For real.
• You have impeccable manners.
• You have the best ideas.
• You have the best laugh.
• You have the courage of your convictions.
• You help me be the best version of myself.
• You help me feel more joy in life.
• You light up the room.
• You look great today.
• You make my insides jump around in the best way.
• You may dance like no one’s watching, but everyone’s watching because you’re mesmerizing.
• You may dance like no one’s watching, but everyone’s watching because you’re an amazing dancer!
• You seem to really know who you are.
• You should be proud of yourself.
• You should be thanked more often. Thank you.
• You smell really good.
• You were cool way before hipsters were cool.
• You’re a candle in the darkness.
• You’re a gift to those around you.
• You’re a great example to others.
• You’re a great listener.
• You’re a smart cookie.
• You’re all that and a super-size bag of chips.
• You’re always learning new things and trying to better yourself. That’s awesome.
• You’re an awesome friend.
• You’re better than a triple-scoop ice cream cone. With sprinkles.
• You’re even better than a unicorn because you’re real.
• You’re great at figuring stuff out.
• You’re inspiring.
• You’re irresistible when you blush.
• You’re like a breath of fresh air.
• You’re like sunshine on a rainy day.
• You’re more fun than a ball pit filled with candy.
• You’re more fun than bubble wrap.
• You’re more helpful than you realize.
• You’re one of a kind.
• You’re really something special.
• You’re so thoughtful.
• You’re someone’s reason to smile.
• You’re strong.
• You’re wonderful.
• You’ve got all the right moves.
• Your ability to recall random factoids at just the right times is impressive.
• Your belly button is kind of adorable.
• Your creative potential seems limitless.
• Your eyes are breathtaking.
• Your hair looks stunning.
• Your kindness is a balm to all who encounter it.
• Your name suits you to a T.
• Your perspective is refreshing.
• Your quirks are so you — and I love that.
• Your smile is contagious.
• Your voice is magnificent.
• You’re a candle in the darkness.
• You’re a gift to those around you.
• You’re a great example to others.
• You’re a great listener.
• You’re a smart cookie.
• You’re all that and a super-size bag of chips.
• You’re always learning new things and trying to better yourself, which is awesome.
• You’re an awesome friend.
• You’re better than a triple-scoop ice cream cone. With sprinkles.
• You’re even better than a unicorn, because you’re real.
• You’re even more beautiful on the inside than you are on the outside.
• You’re gorgeous — and that’s the least interesting thing about you, too.
• You’re great at figuring stuff out.
• You’re inspiring.
• You’re irresistible when you blush.
• You’re like a breath of fresh air.
• You’re like sunshine on a rainy day.
• You’re more fun than a ball pit filled with candy. (And seriously, what could be more fun than that?)
• You’re more fun than bubble wrap.
• You’re more helpful than you realize.
• You’re one of a kind!
• You’re really something special.
• You’re so thoughtful.
• You’re someone’s reason to smile.
• You’re strong.
• You’re that “Nothing” when people ask me what I’m thinking about.
• You’re the coolest person I know. And I consider myself bet friends with like all celebrities, so. . . .
• You’re wonderful.
• You’ve got all the right moves!