This Nudge is about how you can give someone a good week without them even knowing it.

When a new drug is being developed, it is literally given to some people while others receive something that looks like the real thing – but it’s not. It’s called a placebo. In the group of people who receive the placebo, there is a percentage, sometimes a significant percentage, who experience the positive, healing effects of the real drug, even though they are receiving nothing more than a “sugar pill.” It’s called the “Placebo Effect” and it has become absolutely consistent, legitimate, and documented to be real.

The placebo effect shows the power of the mind to heal when it believes. From headaches to more serious illnesses, people who receive the placebo can still experience positive, healing effects simply because they believe they will. Though this is fantastic, it’s not what I want to focus on.

Much study has been done on the power of the mind to create positive responses in the body through belief, but something occurred to me that nudged this nudge. Certainly, the positive placebo effect wouldn’t occur without the element of belief, but it also wouldn’t occur without someone administering the placebo. The researcher giving the “sugar pill” is critical to the effect.

I believe a psychic, a horoscope, or even a fortune cookie can cause a placebo effect. How many times has your spirit been lifted or you’ve become more wary depending on the words of a fortune cookie? It’s the placebo effect. The cookie has no power. But if a fortune cookie can do it, so can some encouraging words. It became clear, YOU can be the administrator of the placebo and cause its positive effects.

This Nudge is to reach out to as many people as you can this week and give them words of support; words that are encouraging, words that create a positive outlook.

We know that researchers can’t avoid the placebo effect, so you won’t be able to either. They can always count on some people being helped. It’s a given. And so it will be for you.

The placebo effect cannot be experienced without the administrator of the placebo; YOU be that person this week. If you do, you can count on positive results!

This article is part of our ongoing Achievement Nudge series—short, witty, and often inspirational articles to spark your personal and professional growth. Explore more nudges on our blog, or sign up for our weekly Nudge and News email. Each edition includes an Achievement Nudge plus leadership, professional development, and personal growth videos and articles to keep you inspired and on track.