To put it bluntly: We have forgotten that the only reason we have the joy of living our dreams is because someone else helped us do so. Think about it. The only reason you receive an income from your goods and services is because of customers decided to purchase from you. In addition, friends, family and mentors have given you support, encouragement, and advice on personal development, customer service and the art of business. Is there anything you have accomplished that was not a direct result of someone else’s contribution? If you can think of one then I’d like to know.
The fact of the matter is that you can’t and there isn’t anything you have accomplished without the help of others. As a result, I think it is high time we bring back the art of the thank you note. I don’t mean a thank you text, email, or even phone call. I’m talking about the good ol’ pen in the hand, paper, envelope with stamp sealed by your DNA kind of a note. A thank you text, email or even phone call is nice and should be sent on occasion but a thank you note tells the person that you have taken the extra time to show them gratitude for what they provided you. No matter how great you are , how unique or awesome in your own mind the lyric from Elton John’s “Good bye yellow brick road” still ring true, “There’s many like me to be found.” The fact that those who have helped you did so by sacrificing their time, effort and sometimes even money to help you succeed means they should be thanked with a little bit of your and my time. I’m not limiting this to only businesses but also thanking those who have helped you on a personal level. How many of your friends and family went out of their way to help you in your time of need? There have been plenty in mine so assuming we aren’t that different there have been some for you.
So take a few moments to create two columns: one for a list for your friends and one for a list of your business partners and vendors. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to get your mind thinking. Just like everything else. The art of thanking people is a habit of remembering those who have helped you and letting them know that you appreciate them. ALSO, THIS IS IMPORTANT: Do not worry about how long it has been since they have helped you. Better late than never principle would apply to this.
- Who are the family member(s) who went out of their way for you in a significant manner this past year?
- Who was the highest paying customer last year or ever?
- Who gave you encouragement that you really needed in the time you needed it?
- Who gave you life changing advice?
- Who gave a gift that was meaningful to you?
- Who gave you life changing help?
- Who has consistently showed you love throughout the years?
- Who are you grateful for for personal reasons?
- Who helped you buy your first home, business tool, or anything of great significance to you?
- Apart from girlfriend, boyfriend, or family who do you know would be willing to help you at 3am?
There are a many more of questions that I can put up here but it should keep you going. In fact, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION YOU COULD ADD THEN COMMENT
People want to know that they are cared for and that they matter. This applies to your family member and friends. When you know that you are valued by another you become somewhat loyal to that person. In short, you build a stronger relationship with them. Just as this strengthens friends and family how much do you think this applies to customers and business relationships? A whole lot because the fact of the matter is you will pay more to people you trust and like than those who you don’t.
Personal Case Study:
I want to give you two personal stories of thank you notes.
This past Christmas I decided that I should thank the President of one of the colleges that I attended (10 years ago!) for taking the time to speak with me in his office a few times each semester. No I wasn’t there because I cheated on a test or any other mischief. I asked to speak with him about the my degree and things related to it. So many times though he would take the time to not only answer my questions but also ask about me and what I was doing. In addition, he would give me advice that really opened my eyes. How many students in colleges can say that. My guess….not many.
So I sent him a thank you note. And guess what. I got a response a week later. He appreciated it and the next time he is in the state we are going to get together. By the way, Presidents of Colleges are good people to have in your phone. They are certainly networking hubs that we can all use.
Number 2
Last year I created the “To Have & To Hold” Breast Cancer photo shoot in which I took 12 ladies who were affected by breast cancer personally or sat along side a family member that did. These ladies were not models and the photo shoot went for 13 hours! Here is an email I got shortly after the shoot:
I just wanted to let you all know how grateful I am for all that you did yesterday (and preparing up to the day!) I cannot express how much it meant to me to be apart of the shoot. I was reminded how much the Lord has blessed me. I was so honored to meet each of you and all the women who were apart of the event.
I was telling Will, my husband, how blessed I was by the experience! What an honor and encouragement it was to be able to share my mom’s story. My mom’s life cannot be shared without sharing the Lord; it is times like yesterday that the Lord reminds me how he has used my mom’s life as a testimony of His grace, mercy, and to further his kingdom. THANK you!
I know that I can speak for all of the girls when I say that we could not have had a more smooth, relaxing, and FUN day. I do not think you will ever know how BLESSED we were by YOU! The time, energy, words of encouragement, running around, planning, gifts, sponsors, make-up artist, food, drinks, etc. the list could go on for pages… THANK YOU!!!
Anyway, I just wanted to tell you all again how GRATEFUL that I am to know you and to be apart! Get some much deserved REST!
God Bless,
Cat
For more information click here about “To Have & To Hold”
So take your pen out and start writing.
