Thank you.

Thank you. Simple and powerful words.

This post was inspired by the Aspire Book Review on the Go-Giver earlier this month. I’d been introduced to the book when working with UMB leader, Mike Hagedorn. And if Mike suggested it, I had confidence it’d be a good read. It was. Thanks to Shawn Kinkade for selecting this book.

What I was reminded of at this month's book review is that sometimes the hardest things are the simplest. Said another way, simple things aren’t always easy. Here’s the challenge for all of us over the holidays. Think about people you care about and those you barely know that have reached beyond themselves to do something selfless and kind for you. Just for you. Who comes to mind?

Now, here’s the assignment. Send a text or call them. Here’s your script,

Dear John,

Thank you for taking the time to listen and discuss my xyz conundrum. I appreciate it.

Have a great day,

[Your Name Here]

Yep. No qualifiers. Nothing about you. Just a specific, targeted thank you for something someone did for you. It can also be for something someone always IS for you. For example,

Dear MOM,

Thank you for always believing in me and being my biggest cheerleader. Life is so much more fun with you in it!

Love,

Dawn

Let the power of these two words (thank you) do the heavy lifting. Do not qualify or muddy their meaning with other words. Keep it simple.

Take the time to say thanks. And enjoy.  

Author’s Recommendation: Aspire’s Monthly Book Review. If you are in the KC Metro and like to learn and like books and like hot coffee at 8:00 a.m., I encourage you to sign up for Shawn’s monthly book review. Shawn’s book selections, presentations, summaries, and facilitation are top notch. I always walk away meeting someone new and learning stuff – about the book, others, and myself.