No Thank Yous Then No Thanks! Its amazing how many people do not know how to say thank you. Its as if they were never taught, the more you appreciate something, the more youll get things you can appreciate. Its like the old adage of What you focus on, you get. However, 97% of people never give thank you notes or have even sent a thank you email. But we want you to say NO THANKS to people who cant say THANKS!
A story of an image expert
Heres an interesting story. Theres a lady I know who markets herself as an image expert. I really liked the information she presented, and she appeared to be quite knowledgeable. So, I went to order a book from her website and NOTHING HAPPENED. I tried, and tried, AND TRIED to buy a book from her website and still NOTHING happened. Most customers would just give up and think okay, I want to spend my money with you but you dont want it because you havent been professional enough to take care of your website BUT (theres that but again), I am a technically challenged person and I like to give the benefit of the doubt, so I thought to myself maybe she just doesnt know. So, I CALL HER (now remember Im the customer!) and let her know that I could not purchase a book on her website. I explained what I did and lo and behold she sees what I see NOTHING HAPPENS! She thanks me quickly and gets off the phone to call her web guru (who is someone who needs a Texas talkin to because hes supposed to be a professional at what he does too sounds real professional, right?). The next day, I tried to purchase the book on the internet again, and finally, I get the book that I worked so hard for.
I share this story because after all that, she NEVER once wrote me an email or note of thanks or ever called up to say thank younothing. And get this, SHEs the image expert. How long would she have gone without business had I not called? She even mentioned that she had not gotten any orders that week and found that odd. She gave no thanks at all. What do you think my image is of her now?
Take-home lesson
Use her huge mistake as a lesson for yousay THANK YOU! It is such a lost art and such a powerful phrase. We all work so hard to differentiate ourselves from the competition. And, you actually can with this simple act of gratitude!
Here are three simple yet powerful acts:
1. Write a THANK YOU note!
Granted, this can be done via email with lots of cute animation song. However, a handwritten personal note is the most powerful thank you. It shows that you value the person, you value what they did, and that you are so genuine in your appreciation that you are willing to expend the time and effort to make a personal gesture. You will stand out in the crowd and be the purple cow!
Action Step: Write one thank you note a day. If you dont do that now, start with a thank you email. However, do just get some simple cards and address and stamp one each day. Carry it with you and find that person to appreciate every day. You will then be the true IMAGE EXPERT and that act of appreciation will make a huge difference to you, personally!
2. Pick up the phone and say thank you!
Youre busy, were all busy. Pick up the phone and thank the person and explain why what they did was so great; how it made a difference in your life and how you value them. Be sincere (people can smell the predatory fakeness a mile away!).
Action Step: Call one person each week. Make one moment each week as a you-make-a-difference moment! Then ask them, Now how can I help you?
3. Recognize people with value!
Im not telling you to shower people with gifts, but do remember what you are grateful for and what is important to them. For example, I have a friend who loves the theater. She once worked on a really difficult client for me and made all of us look so good. I appreciated what she did and gave recognition to her efforts (an important, valued recognition), and then gifted her with two theater tickets. She was thrilled because I remembered that she liked the theater! Like the image person I was referring to in the story, a show of gratitude might even have been a short email saying Thanks and heres a couple of bucks off your next purchase for saving me from losing further dollars. (However, if the person you want to give appreciation to has to tell you what to do, it totally devalues any appreciation you could possibly muster!)
Action Step: Someone made a difference in your life this month. They made life easier or went out of the way. Recognize it!
