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?