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Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of iHeartRadio.
Good morning.
This is Laura.
Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast.
Today's tip is that when there is a call for nominations for an award, respond.
You know a winner, so nominate them.
These people in your life might be recognized for their awesomeness, but even if not, you will feel better, and they will likely feel better from you having made the effort.
So there are various awards out there in the universe, and sometimes random people can nominate anyone for them.
For instance, it appears that you can likely nominate someone for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Now, of course, the president gets to choose that one, and probably a lot of people are in the running.
But there are a lot of smaller awards that are closer to home.
And my guess is that not that many people get nominated for these.
For instance, maybe your high school awards an Outstanding Alum Award annually.
Maybe your favorite local restaurant has an Employee of the Month.
Your local newspaper names a Student Athlete of the Week.
A local nonprofit might recognize a Volunteer of the Year.
When you see one of these awards somewhere perhaps because you see someone else has won it make a note.
Look up the deadline.
Put it on your calendar.
Then commit to nominating someone you know the next time around.
Or for ongoing awards like employee recognition programs, do it this week.
In many cases, this is not going to be all that hard.
Many big organizations do recognize individual contributors in various ways, or at least they'd like to.
As with much in life, lots of people complain about things going wrong.
Most people do not write in about things that go right.
So, trust me, corporate headquarters is going to love your letter talking about how amazing the cashier at the grocery store was.
Or how helpful an associate at that chain retailer was.
Or how smiley your barista is every morning.
Even if these places don't have specific awards, these notes are going to get read.
And they will likely result in the employee you mentioned receiving some sort of recognition.
You have the power to make this happen.
How cool is that?
As for places that do have formal awards, the nomination process is often not going to be that lengthy.
So why not nominate a favorite school employee for a district award?
Or you could nominate a friendly personal care assistant at your dad's retirement home for a system-wide award.
Here's the thing.
For a lot of awards, there are probably not that many people getting nominated.
Very few people make the effort.
So the person you nominate may have a decent chance of winning.
If they do, how wonderful for them to be recognized and for you to know that you played a role in it happening.
But even if they don't, you'll have a reminder of a special person in your life.
And that is a prize too.
You know a winner.
And it's good to remind ourselves and them of that. the meantime, this is Laura.
Thanks for listening.
And here's to making the most of our time.
Thanks for listening to Before Breakfast.
If you've got questions, ideas, or feedback, you can reach me at laura at lauravanderkam.com.
Before Breakfast is a production of iHeart Media.
For more podcasts from iHeart Media, please visit the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
I'm Bowen Yang.
And I'm Matt Rogers.
During this season of the Two Guys, Five Rings podcast, in the lead up to the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, we've been joined by some of our friends.
Hi Bowen, hi Matt.
Hey Elmo.
Hey Matt, hey Bowen.
Hi Cookie.
Hi.
Now the Winter Olympic Games are underway and we are in Italy to give you experiences from our hearts to your ears.
Listen to Two Guys Five Rings on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
In the middle of the night, Saskia awoke in a haze.
Her husband Mike was on his laptop.
What was on his screen would change Saskia's life forever.
I said, I need you to tell me exactly what you're doing.
And immediately, the mask came off.
You're supposed to be safe.
That's your home.
That's your husband.
Listen to Betrayal Season 5 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
This is an iHeart Podcast.
Guaranteed human.
