“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it” ~ William Arthur Ward.
Many people are forming good habits in the New Year, such as exercising and eating right. I encourage you to add just one more – a simple daily dose of gratitude. It is an amazingly rewarding way of cultivating kindness, and January is the perfect month to start this new habit—it’s National Thank You Month!
Thank you notes can be sent anytime to anyone to let them know you appreciate them. Here’s the bonus: the amount of effort required to show gratitude is easier than exercising and eating right. In fact, one of my goals last year was to send at least one card a day. I thanked people not only for their gifts, but also for other kind gestures like taking the time to meet for lunch or for showing good leadership skills or supporters of my work. I was, and continue to be, successful in my daily thank you note endeavor. I know what you’re thinking – that you have no time to craft, much less send, a personal note. I use Send Out Cards [1](which I truly love!). You choose a card template, enter a quick personal message add your own photo, and then simply click SEND. Send Out Cards takes it from there by printing and mailing your heartfelt meaningful message for you.
Just think how delighted one would be to receive your beautiful, personalized note from you.
In addition to sending thank you notes [2], here are some other quick tips for celebrating National Thank You Month:
- Take a few minutes to think and reflect on all that you have to be thankful for. It could be a call from an old friend to the fresh air you breathe. When you really think about it, the list can be endless!
- Start a gratitude journal. Every day, write down at least one thing you are grateful for. Over time, you will have manifested a fantastic new habit and a thoughtful record of all your many blessings.
- Create an attitude of gratitude. Know that it is not how much you have, but how you feel about what you have that makes the difference. Let people know throughout the day you are grateful that they are doing their job. I’ll bet the bus driver, policeman or barista that makes your coffee would like to hear you appreciate them being on the job.
- Connect with others who are also grateful for what they have, not just in the workplace but in personal relationships as well. These are the people that have positive energy, are inspiring and they cheerfully impact people in valuable ways.
Take note of the warm feelings you get from expressing gratitude. Be thankful, not only in January, but throughout the year to those that mean the most to you. Letting people know just how important and special they are takes just a bit of effort, yet has massive rewards.