This blog introduces you to my special brand of BIKE. I show you how to find your Best self, access your Inner strength, tune in to your Killer instincts, and use your Expressive voice. It's inspiring, spiritual, quirky, and it's all in your head. It's about ATTITUDE, not exercise, though that might be a side benefit.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

THANK YOU! 3 reasons to say it more often

I want to say "thank you" to the woman I met a month or so ago at a coffee shop a few miles from where I live. I won't say your name because I can't remember it. You didn't have a business card to share. You were referred to me by a friend who thought you wanted to work with me. You didn't. But I agreed to meet with you under those circumstances. When I arrived, I discovered you just wanted to pick my brain for ideas on how you could get your work done. I usually charge for that kind of consultation, but I was helping a friend, so I answered your questions. I was gracious. I was happy to help. But you know what I continue to find surprising? You never followed up with a "thank you." I spent more than an hour with you that morning. I provided you with solid information. I even emailed with more. But no thanks from you. No acknowledgment whatsoever.

And for that, I want to thank you--because it reminds me that I need to say those two words more often. So, in honor of that day, I offer three reminders of what deserves your bold thanks:

REFERRALS FROM FRIENDS
1)  If your friends think highly enough of you to refer you to their friends and associates, that's something to be grateful for, no matter the outcome. Email them. Let them know it means so much.

REFERRALS FROM YOUR CLIENTS
2)  If your clients refer you as someone to work with, if they offer testimonials (especially when you don't even have to ask for them), that's something to honor in return. Send them a hand-written note.

PRAISE FROM YOUR ADULT CHILDREN
3)  And if your adult children acknowledge what a great job you did as their parents, thank them, hug them. For goodness sakes, buy them a new car! Because no other praise will matter more.  

Do you have any reason to issue a thank-you today?

6 comments:

Amrit said...

!!! Thank You !!!

A big thank you for two reasons:-

1. Your words explained my feelings when people don't even acknowledge a big help, technical consultation of fixing an issue for them. I feel so bad. If they seek same help from someone else, they will need to pay a lot.

2. A very good advice to say Thank You :)))

I feel very happy when my teenage girl appreciate my work or my help to her with homework. :))

Unknown said...

Thank you, A. Your note reminds me to thank ALL of my readers, visitors and anyone who visits us here, and especially those who join in on the conversation in some way. :-)

Anjuli said...

Thank you for this post!!!! A great reminder- and a much needed word of advice-- Thank you for having this blog- I really look forward to seeing what you post on here!

Unknown said...

Thank you, Anjuli. This is actually a common issue I see on writer's boards all the time. People want free advice. Okay, that's fine. I get that. But the lack of giving thanks for that, I don't get. I hope we're not losing the ability to appreciate. Do you see this happening in your part of the world?

Alexandra said...

This is such a good reminder! Thanks.

My husband's first grandkids never said "Thank you." They never learned. This may be an explanation for the ladies you describe. Thank you is such an easy gesture. And, it means so much.

bookworm said...

Yes, I have many thank you's to give out today. Thank you to the neighbor who fed my hungry son, who evacuated yesterday to my house-which is now on an "island" in a flooded neighborhood. Thank you for everyone thinking of him and me. Thank you for the Blogathoners who introduced me to Twitter. And thank you, Jackie, for thinking of me!