Comments on: Thank You Notes Not Just for Holidays
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- Writing thank you notes is humbling, uplifting, and I would say empowering at the same time: humbling because you realize how much you have compared to most of the world, uplifting because you are tangibly expressing gratitude, and empowering because you realize YOU are in charge of your emotions and how you view situations.
This is a skill that you may be learning for the first time. It is worth the time and trouble. Don't know what to say? Practice on lined paper. Try out varying phrases of greeting, acknowledgment, and summarizing. One that I came with is "While I am fresh out of profound words at the moment, please accept my abundant gratitude."
If you don't have them, buy a dictionary and a Roget's thesaurus. Remember, you are learning a life-long, life changing skill. At first some people might be suspicious "OK. What do you want?" But people frequently save these notes for years, as a reminder that they have done good in the world, and that someone appreciated them.
This is why handwritten notes have so much impact, because they can be savored time and again.
I have sent them to servers and bartenders who did an outstanding job. And the next time I come in believe me I get top notch service. I always try to sit in that person's section.
Sometimes, after sending several notes to one person, I have to use phrases like, "Once again I have been the recipient of your superb skills and attention to detail. I appreciate the fact that you treat your position as a craft, rather than just a job, and that you treat me as more than just another customer."
As always, with appreciation and gratitude,
(Your name)
If someone gives you a ride repeatedly or always brings your paper when they get theirs or always blows the snow off your walk, say something like
"It is small kindnesses extended time and time and time again that make the world a nicer, (or better) place to be, or "that reveal a person's faith (if they are a churchgoer) and true character." And,
really, isn't that the truth?
If someone is helping you on a regular basis, a gift card (even $10.00) is a nice gesture. And if they have received multiple thank you notes from you, the gift card makes more of an impression.
This is a skill that pays personal dividends, the more you are grateful for, the more you have to be grateful for. - Reply to this comment
- I am firm believe in the power of gratitude. Anyone who is interested in improving their own quality of life should definitely read John's book, "365 Thank Yous: The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life" and put the suggestions to practice. After trying some of the appreciation exercises in my own day to day routines for a few short weeks, I was amazed at how my life and attitude seemed to improve almost overnight.
If nothing else, just be aware of your daily gratitude situations, trust your gut, and react accordingly when you think someone in your life deserves a bit of gratitude. The more you practice the easier it is to spot these moments, and respond in the appropriate manner. And, best of all, you'll get more, more often by following through with two simple words, "Thank you."
For those of you who prefer digital thank you notes with a personal touch, feel free to check out, Thankuz (http://thankuz.com). It's a web app that makes it really easy to create and send thank you notes online. - Reply to this comment
- Sending cards works. We increased our business by 25% by keeping in touch with existing customers. Many business owners are addicted to obtaining new fresh leads and often times forget that the gold in their existing customer base!
Here's what we use: <a href="https://www.sendoutcards.com/beantown/">Click Here to Send Personal Cards Online</a> - Reply to this comment
- I'm a fan of notes that go beyond thank you to express, as John Kralik did, gratitude even to strangers. But it's important to recognize there's a flip side. There are notes we should write, very empowering notes, that illuminate the shadow side of gratitude. These notes may do even more good, who knows?
http://lauragraceweldon.com/2010/11/27/fostering-the-flip-side-of-gratitude/ - Reply to this comment
- I'm a fan of notes that go beyond thank you to express, as John Kralik did, gratitude even to strangers. But it's important to recognize there's a flip side. There are notes we should write, very empowering notes, that illuminate the shadow side of gratitude. These notes may do even more good, who knows?
http://lauragraceweldon.com/2010/11/27/fostering-the-flip-side-of-gratitude/ - Reply to this comment
- I enjoyed this story so much that I am sharing it with everyone I can. I blogged about it at http://denver.yourhub.com/Parker/Blogs/Your-Voice/Blog~938547.aspx. In addition, I want to share the spirit of gratitude. So I'm offering individuals the opportunity to send three thank you notes on me. It's free. Just go to https://www.sendoutcards.com/susanc/ and send your thank you notes. See what a differecne you can make in someone's life.
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- I really liked this story. More people need to send Thank You notes. The younger generation does not respond to any thing. I would even take a text thank you at this point.
This is truly a lost art. More of us need to participate in it.
I have a system that makes it easy. You order the cards on line. Then a real card is sent in the mail. You can even use your own handwriting.
To look at the system and send 3 free cards go to: www.sendoutcards.com/shanaspree
Go ahead and brighten some ones day today! - Reply to this comment
- Steve, I couldn't agree more. I wrote an article about the importance of handwritten thank you notes and posted it to my blog: http://www.infiniticrow.blogspot.com. One of the reasons I create fine art note cards is I believe in the positive power of a personal note. Technology, bless it, and social media, including texting, is creating a gap in personal human connection. Thanks for the segment! DCR
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- This topic is near and dear to my heart. As the administrator of a Facebook page called Count Your Blessings, we know the power of thankfulness...
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- Thank you for this story. I am a woman and am 60 years old. I send thank you notes and have sent them for many years.
I have to admit I enjoy sending them more than I enjoy receiving them.
Why? I don't know that answer. To me sending them is a part of social grace and civility. I sometimes put a bookmark in the card because I love reading. - Reply to this comment
