Appreciation is the Secret Sauce for Success
- In life
- In relationships
- In business
Two of the most important words you will ever use; “Thank You.” (Maybe not quite the impact as “Not Guilty”, but I digress right here in the first paragraph) A good Thank You note is more than just words; it is conveys an attitude, an emotion, it’s recognition, it’s an affirmation. People are drawn to grateful attitudes!
Thoughtful application of this Secret Sauce will enhance every relationship around you.
(Below I will tell you how to receive free Thank You Note samples)
In the workplace, study after study shows that recognition is more important to job satisfaction than money. Sam Walton, founder of Walmart said: “Nothing else can quite substitute for a few well-chosen, well-timed, sincere words of praise. They’re absolutely free and worth a fortune.”
The point here is simply, EVERYONE CAN SAY THANK YOU MORE OFTEN AND MORE EFFECTIVELY!
The 360 Thank You
Take a 360 degree look around you. Appreciation works in every direction. You have co-workers, friends, family, employees, service providers, neighbors, mailman, you or your children’s teachers, your pastor… you can make a long list! Thank them all? That may not always be practical, but start somewhere! Think of it this way… What happens when something appreciates? It gains value. (Unlike my house) When you add value to those around you, you cannot help but add value to our own life, AND you will ATTRACT people that will add value to YOUR life!
Think about some of your daily transactions. Sales people, clerks and cashiers are universally trained to say “thank you,” but that thank you is more often delivered as a signal that the transaction is over and its time to move along.
I have choices. I don’t have to shop with you. I will go where I feel my business is appreciated and I am a valued customer. When I feel that way, it is a relationship, not just a transaction.
To the business-person or professional: What if your customers became FANS? Fan is short for fanatical, and that will only happen when the service provider or merchant sees his customers and clients as VALUABLE and ESSENTIAL – and treats them that way.
It begins at the door (or reception desk) and doesn’t end at the cash register. Develop an intentional, sincere program to express appreciation. Your customers and clients work hard for their money. When they give some of it to you, make sure they get more than your time, more than your merchandise. Give them appreciation. Make them feel valued and important.
Gratitude enables us to be better leaders, managers and parents. Gratitude attracts positive people. How do people know you are grateful? You tell them.
Gratitude and appreciation take up space in your brain that fear might otherwise occupy. Neurology has proven that fear and appreciation CAN NOT reside in the brain at the same time. These two states may rotate in and out of the brain, but they are mutually exclusive.
Jackie and Dennis Freiberg http://www.freibergs.com
How about this idea? Old fashioned thank you notes, written to a specific person?
I can help!
I have compiled a stack of thank you notes and idea starters.These are powerful notes I’ve written, received or “borrowed” that you can easily edit for your need to say “Thank You!” in a meaningful way to someone right now.
Sample Thank You letters: (Many more in the document)
Thank You to your Pastor
On behalf of our family, I am expressing our gratitude to you for being a great pastor. We are inspired and challenged by your messages, and your leadership of the church gives us great confidence that you and your entire staff are dedicated to our spiritual well being.
When we have gone through difficult times, your prayers and words of encouragement have meant more than I can easily express.
I know you have sacrificed to fulfill Gods call on your life, and you sometimes carry burdens and concerns we could not imagine.
This is Pastor Appreciation Month, but I want you to know that the Armstrong family appreciates and prays for you – our pastor – year-round. Know that we are standing with you and we love having you as our pastor.
May God bless you and help you continue your most effective ministry.
Thank You to your child’s teacher
With sincere gratitude I say “thank you” for a job well done this year. [Name of child] has flourished in your class and your innovative methods of teaching have captured his imagination and made him grow, both as a student and as an individual. You truly ignited his thirst for learning.
Your gentle encouragement and has made a difference in his attitude and increased his confidence. You challenge him to do his best and he looks forward to every day at school.
Thank you so very much for being the person you are and for taking the time and making the effort to make sure that our children receive the very best education possible. Not only has it made a difference in our child – it will make a difference in the world.
Thank you note samples included:
Thank you note for a Teacher
Thank you note for a Donor
Thank you note for a Job Interview
Thank you note for a Personal Gift
Thank you note for a Wedding Gift
Thank you note for a Caregiver
Thank you note for a Baby Shower Gift
Thank you for an Expression of Sympathy
Thank you note to a business for good service
Take me up on my free offer: 15 Pages of Charming Thank You Notes, Phrases and Letters – and start using these ideas today!
Just leave your first name and email in the box on the top right corner.
