How many times a day do you say "thank you?" How many times a day do you hear "thank you?" As I started teaching my toddler son to say "please" and "thank you" I realized that I began saying it more even when he was not around. Then it occurred to me that I hadn't been saying it enough. So I started saying it even more around others.
And then I had an experience where a simple thank you changed a person's attitude (for the good). And I realized the power of a simple thank you in a work environment (as a federal employee) where morale seems to be at an all-time low (at least in the fifteen years I've been around) and people seem quick to snap at one another and "say" things (either in person or via e-mail) that you never would have heard in the workplace twenty years ago. (And no, this is not a generational issue as it is all generations I am hearing it from.)
After last Friday, just another day of serving as everyone's verbal whipping post, (the joy of being at the bottom of the hill things roll down) I decided that I wanted to try something new this week. And I'm hoping you will join me and invite others to join.
Think for a minute, what would a day be like if you thanked every person with whom you came in contact. Not just the ones who give you what you want or are nice to you. Could you do it? And not the sarcastic sneer of "thank you" that really means you should be nicer. A sincere thank you. Are you up for the challenge?
Here are the rules:
And then I had an experience where a simple thank you changed a person's attitude (for the good). And I realized the power of a simple thank you in a work environment (as a federal employee) where morale seems to be at an all-time low (at least in the fifteen years I've been around) and people seem quick to snap at one another and "say" things (either in person or via e-mail) that you never would have heard in the workplace twenty years ago. (And no, this is not a generational issue as it is all generations I am hearing it from.)
After last Friday, just another day of serving as everyone's verbal whipping post, (the joy of being at the bottom of the hill things roll down) I decided that I wanted to try something new this week. And I'm hoping you will join me and invite others to join.
Think for a minute, what would a day be like if you thanked every person with whom you came in contact. Not just the ones who give you what you want or are nice to you. Could you do it? And not the sarcastic sneer of "thank you" that really means you should be nicer. A sincere thank you. Are you up for the challenge?
Here are the rules:
- For twenty-four hours you must thank every person with whom you come in contact at least once. (You can thank them more but no need to get carried away with those you see all day.)
- Each thank you must be spontaneous, sincere, and specific. "Thank you" doesn't count. "Wow, thank you for such friendly service!" and "Thank you so much for inviting me to lunch with you." do count.
- You can Facebook or Tweet your "thank you's" using the hashtag #thankyouchallenge and they will show on the right side of this blog.
I'll let you know how tomorrow goes, please share your experiences with me as well!
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