Posts tagged "gratitude"
March 31, 2020
After a meeting in Denver a couple of weeks ago, I took a flight back home to Canada and immediately went into self-imposed isolation. I went into my alone time with a gung-ho attitude and made lists of everything I would like to accomplish. I was ready!
My birthday was a few days into my isolation period, so my daughter and grandsons left a beautiful Black Forest cake on my doorstep. As I smiled and waved at them through my front-door window, I noticed the youngest’s eyes filled with tears.
It broke my heart.
When I was growing up, we were constantly bombarded with the threat of nuclear war — but we still went to school, played with our friends, and visited our relatives. As I looked at my grandson, the enormity of our current situation hit me and I felt his sense of unease about the future.
I know you’re used to receiving emails from me about how to boost your confidence and your business. But right now, I’m focused on ways I can support you. The truth is, none of us know what will happen next. But what I do know is that this current moment isn’t about discovering new and better ways to make money. It’s not about opportunities to build our brands. It’s about the preciousness of life.
So I’d like to ask you: How are you coping with this period of isolation? Through my work, I’ve learned that most of us can be broken into two groups — those who crave certainty and those who thrive on variety. With that in mind, here are a couple of tips to help you stay positive.
If you feel like your world is heading out of control
The only thing we can change in this moment is ourselves. If you’re missing the order and routine of your pre-coronavirus existence, create new rituals!
I’m using this time to introduce habits that will serve me long after the danger from this illness has passed. I’ll be perfectly honest: It has been a bit difficult to create a lock-down routine and stick with it. But if there has been a blessing from all of this, it’s the gift of time. I get up every morning and recommit to my plan for setting improved standards.
Maybe you never had time for breakfast before, or maybe your sleep hygiene hasn’t been up to par. This is your chance to practice self-care while introducing order.
If you are climbing the walls
Make a list of things you want to try, write them down on slips of paper, put them in a bowl and pull one out every time you feel unsettled. I have been re-learning the Rubik’s cube — something I used to be able to do in my sleep — and trust me, that occupies plenty of time. I also mastered this cups routine. Now, I’m tackling some choreography! I’ve also been planting spring greens, a gentle reminder that life continues to grow and thrive.
Take care. Be gentle with yourself. (I’m refusing to beat myself up for eating that Black Forest cake by myself.) Please reach out if you need help. We’ll pull through this together and be wiser for it.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Personal development, Time management, Self Care in challenging times and tagged gratitude, #selfcare #selfquarantine, Self-Isolation, Coping skills
December 17, 2019
We all know that a thank-you card traditionally is expected after we receive a gift. This simple act might be less common than it used to be, but that doesn’t mean it’s less appreciated.
I believe thank-you notes are just as important as the gifts themselves. After all, don’t we give to delight our friends and loved ones or express our gratitude? A well-written thank-you note brings gift-giving full circle.
Four steps to crafting a simple, beautiful note
- In the first sentence, say “thank you for” and state the gift you’ve been given. Example: Thank you for the wine glasses you gave me at the holiday party.
- Next, express a further detailed appreciation by remarking on qualities about the gift. Example: The glasses have already found a home on our dining room table. They look so elegant next to our everyday dishes!
- Share specific reasons why you like the gift. Example: I love to entertain, and can’t wait to show them off the next time we have friends over for a wine and cheese get-together.
- In the closing sentence, sign it pleasantly and friendly. And you can even add “Thanks again!” before your signature.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Christmas, Personal development, Communication, Etiquette Tips, Everyday Etiquette and tagged Christmas, holiday, gratitude, thank you cards, thanks
November 21, 2018
grat-i-tude [grat-i-tood]
noun
The quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
The last bowls of turkey soup (the best thing about leftover Thanksgiving turkey) have been served here in Canada, but the biggest holiday of the year is almost here for our friends in the US. With Thanksgiving, both in Canada and in the United States, there comes a heightened sense of gratitude. A keen sense of nostalgia and recognition for all that is good in our life.
At our house, during dessert at Thanksgiving, we go around the table –each of us sharing what we are thankful for. Guests always mention how good it feels to share what they are grateful for, and to hear what others give thanks for.
It’s such a simple thing, really, to stop and think about the things, and the people who bring us joy. But when was the last time you took a moment out of your (regular) day and acknowledged what you are truly thankful for?
Why Gratitude?
There is a plethora of information touting the benefits of cultivating gratitude on a daily basis. Just plug “benefits of gratitude” into Google and you’ll see a slew of results pop up on the health benefits – both mental and physical.
Let’s face it – life is busy. Time whizzes by and before you know it, we’re turning the calendar to a brand new year. No one is immune to the passing of time, but we can all learn to express it – and be more in the moment.
Here are two ways you can start flexing your gratitude muscles today:
Say thank you. I make it a habit of sending out one card per day to people who have enriched my life. Acknowledge those people who have an impact on your daily life. Send a card. Give them a call. Write a personal note or email expressing gratitude for their support or encouragement. Say “thanks” in person. It doesn’t matter what the delivery platform is, it’s the sentiment that counts.
Start a gratitude journal. At the end of each day, write down at least three things you are grateful for. If you want to skip the pen and paper, there are a ton of gratitude apps out there now to make it really easy for you to keep track of those moments of gratitude. I use Gratitude 365 – and so does my young grandson!
By making it a habit of practicing gratitude all year long, you will find that your thoughts and words will become more positive. Lose all those negative things you tell yourself–the “don’ts and “nots” and “should-haves”—and shift your focus on giving thanks for all the little things that make you smile every day.
Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends!
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey
Photo credit: Stuart Miles
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Posted by Margaret Page in Everyday Etiquette and tagged gratitude
April 11, 2018
Women, tell me if you’re familiar with this scenario: You tell a colleague that her work on a presentation was stellar — clear, concise, funny, thoughtful. You walked away with amazing insights and tell her you appreciate her hard work.
And then she brushes it off.
“Oh, it wasn’t that good,” she says.
Or, “I had a lot of help.”
Or maybe even: “I could have done better if I had done more to prepare.”
Sound familiar? You might be cringing right now because you’ve been that woman throwing away a compliment as if it were a hot potato. Can you imagine a man doing such a thing? Why is it that we have such a difficult time just saying, “Thank you! I worked hard.” Or, even better, taking that compliment to heart and really savouring it?
The urge to throw away compliments is real. According to a study by Robert Herbert, a sociolinguist, compliments given from one man to another were accepted 40 percent of the time. Yet women accept only a dismal 22 percent of compliments from other women. (Interestingly, woman accept compliments 68 percent of the time when given by men.)
What makes us throw up our compliment armor? There are several reasons why.
- We don’t want to stand out. It’s unfortunate, but it’s true: Women who stand out from the crowd can be perceived as overly ambitious or social climbers. Rejecting a compliment keeps you on a level playing field.
- We don’t want to seem stuck up. Accepting a compliment can make it seem like you’re acknowledging something good about yourself — and in a woman’s world, even the simple act of saying “thank you” can be perceived as self-aggrandizement.
- We think we’re being tricked. Laura Brannon of Kansas State University says that if we think the complimenter wants something out of us, we’re less likely to believe the compliment.
So what would the world look like if women started accepting more compliments? Personally, I think more women would be empowered in their day-to-day lives and more courageous in business. When someone gives me a compliment, I take it. If you want to take the time to tell me something nice, I want to take the time to enjoy it. And it shows respect to the compliment giver!
Here are my three tips for accepting any compliment:
- Don’t deflect. Accept the compliment. Say thank you. Not “thank you, but …” Just “thank you.” There’s no need to deflect well-earned praise.
- Don’t insult yourself. Not only does insulting yourself lower your self-esteem, it puts the complimenter in the uncomfortable situation of not only offering you a compliment but also acting as your psychotherapist. Take your praise!
- Avoid a compliment battle. There’s no need to one-up your compliment with another compliment. Not only can the situation turn awkward fast, but you don’t want your compliment to come across as insincere. Save your compliments for when you can be thoughtful and authentic.
What are you going to do the next time someone gives you a compliment? Tell me in the comments below! If you’d like tips on how to give praise, check out this blog post on how to craft the perfect compliment.
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Posted by Margaret Page in Uncategorized, Communication, Etiquette Edge and tagged etiquette tips, grace, appreciation, gratitude, manners, thank you, good manners, compliments, Gain Confidence, Class and Communication Skills with Etiquette Products
July 8, 2014
In a world where we are communicating more and more through email, text and social media, the value of a physical thank you note is being lost. Yes, it is amazing how easy it is to stay in touch nowadays – a quick text to see how someone’s day is going– but with something as important as a thank you note, I still believe sending a physical card is far more valuable.
After all, you can’t display an email on your desk or hang a text on your bulletin board!
Physical cards still have a longer shelf life—and greater impact. Because we get so many emails and text messages throughout the day, it’s such a thrill to open our mailbox (our REAL mailbox) and find a physical card inside.
But who has time for that, right? We have the best intentions – we really do want to send out more cards, but time gets away from us and it becomes just one more thing to add to our to-do list. Did you know that people intend to send out an average 70 cards a year for various occasions, but in the end only send out 10 because of the inconvenience? Unless you really plan ahead, when you think about sending out a card, you’re scrambling to find a stamp!
Well, that’s why I am such a huge fan of Send Out Cards. I love them.
SendOutCards, founded by CEO Kody Bateman in 2003 – has sent out over 100 million cards since its launch. The online service makes it so easy to send a personalized, printed greeting card to anyone. You choose a custom card, add your own personal photo and message – and then you just click SEND. They take care of all the rest – printing, stuffing, stamping and mailing the physical card for you.
My personal goal is to send out one card each day. And although I think email thank-yous are convenient and necessary, the arrival of a personal card is far more memorable. If you’re trying to stand out from the crowd, separate yourself from your competitors, sending a physical card will help you do that.
If you’re interested in learning more about Send Out cards, send me a note. I’d love to send you a Splash Code that’s worth about 50 free cards!
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Posted by Margaret Page in Communication and tagged gratitude, thank you
March 12, 2011
You walk into a room and a friend approaches you and says, “Wow, you look fantastic! Love that color on you!” Or you’ve just given a presentation—one that you were probably sweating over for weeks—and your boss catches up to you after your big debut and says “Great job on the presentation. You really nailed it.”
What’s your first response? Do you immediately look away or start mumbling something about the weather?
Sound familiar?
When given a compliment most people brush it off, talk over it, or even argue the compliment by saying something like “Really? I’ve had this dress forever” or “I didn’t think so. I stuttered the whole time.”
Receiving a compliment, graciously, is one of the most difficult things for many people to do. Some will even deflect the compliment by making a joke of it, and that can be uncomfortable for the person giving the compliment.
So, the next time you receive a compliment, I want you to follow these 5 steps. If you do, I promise it will get easier and easier to accept a compliment – and it will make the compliment giver feel more inclined to “share the love” with other well-deserving friends who could use a pick-me-up from time to time.
When receiving a compliment, do the following:
- Stop thinking and listen to what the person is saying to you. Don’t disregard or shoo away the words before he is finished. Let the compliment “giver” say what he wants to say.
- Do not, for any reason, respond with negativity. Not even with a negative tone. By doing this, you are inadvertently disrespecting an act of kindness from that person.
- The first thing you should say when you are given a compliment is: Thank you. Then, follow up with something that reflects the compliment the individual has given you. If your friend compliments you on how you look, say something like “Thank you. I just got this dress.” This will show not only that you are listening, but that you appreciate (and accept) the compliment.
- When someone is giving you a compliment, look them in the eye when you respond. This shows engagement and true appreciation.
- Don’t counter-compliment. It will come off as insincere. “You look great, too” doesn’t have the same effect when you’ve just received a compliment. Think about it. Tuck the counter-compliment away for another time.
- Pass on the kindness. Every time you receive a compliment (I mean, REALLY receive it), think about how good it felt. How much it brightened your day. Think about how much you can impact another person’s day with a few simple words. Implement the “bounce back” mentality and make someone’s day – every day.
Although accepting a compliment can be tough, it can really make your day. Think about a time when you truly accepted a compliment. Didn’t your day seem lighter? Didn’t you walk just a little taller? Give yourself permission to feel good about yourself. And then, pass it on.
What’s the first thing you do when you receive a compliment? I’d love to know your thoughts. Share with us in the comments below!
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Posted by Margaret in Everyday Etiquette and tagged gratitude, good manners, Gain Confidence, Class and Communication Skills with Etiquette Products
January 30, 2011
Even (and maybe “especially”) in a world where we communicate with quick texts and emails, the personal thank you card is still the best way to show your gratitude when someone gives you a gift.
But where do you start? What do you say?
Your personal note doesn’t have to be written on fancy paper, and you don’t have to have a degree in Journalism to find the right words to say. Don’t be intimidated. Be authentic. Be personal. Keep it simple.
Here are four key components to cover in your thank you note, to help you get you started:
- In the first sentence, say “thank you for” and state the gift you’ve been given. Example: Thank you for the wine glasses you gave us for our anniversary.
- Next, express a further detailed appreciation by remarking on qualities about the gift. Example: The glasses have already found a home on our dining room table. They look so elegant next to our everyday dishes!
- Share specific reasons why you like the gift. Example: We love to entertain, and can’t wait to show them off the next time we have friends over for a wine and cheese get-together.
- In the closing sentence, sign is pleasantly and friendly. And you can even add “Thanks again!” before your signature.
Don’t drag your feet…be sure to send out a personal thank you note within 48 hours of receiving a gift.
Gratitude will never be out of style, no matter how technically-advanced we become. Sending a personal note of thanks will not only let them know how much you appreciate the gift, but it also sends the message that you value the relationship enough to take the time to personalize your message.
Far better than being included in a group email of thanks, don’t you think?
photo: vistamommy
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Posted by Margaret in Everyday Etiquette and tagged appreciation, gratitude, manners, thank you card
