Give Thanks

Tomorrow is the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. - a time when we reflect on all we have in our lives and give thanks for it. I thought this article from business expert Andrea Nierenberg was a perfect accompaniment.

Giving a heartfelt thank you is one of the kindest and greatest gifts we can give someone. Now as the holidays approach – it is very much a tradition to do so, yet what about giving those warm thank you's throughout the year.

We have this opportunity to do so everyday and I go back to my ‘5 penny tradition’ — each day put five pennies in your pocket and as you go throughout your day — give at least five special thank you’s to the people who touch your life in any way.

Think about who you might be thanking as the season officially begins:

T — Tell a friend, client, connection specifically what they mean to you and how they have helped you. Specifically let them know how you have grown or changed based on a comment or a piece of advice they gave you.

H — Have some humor — and make it heartfelt. Maybe you remind someone of something funny that you shared or a joke — anything to bring a mutual smile to your faces and it is very healthy to laugh every day! Yet-people are different, so perhaps it is very heartfelt and poignant.

A — Make sure to have an attitude of gratitude.We all know that attitude is our choice. Show appreciation as often as you can — never wait on these Opportunities.

N — Nurture every relationship that you work so hard to develop and grow. Stay in touch —be on their radar and constantly find ways to surprise and delight the people in your life. I enjoy learning things about people and strive to learn something new with every encounter — which gives another opportunity to take note and remember something special about them. Just last week, I learned that a new client enjoys ballroom dancing and found a book to send her on the subject which she did not have!

K — Kindness as my wonderful father, Paul would say –‘is a daily practice’. Find opportunities to commit random acts of kindness for others. My favorite line by Mother Theresa is : “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” Everyday find a way to show kindness — or as my father would also say — ‘give everyone you meet a smile and a handshake’ — I think of him everyday as I do so.

Y — Focus on the other YOU –the people who cross your path daily. Learn from everyone as we all have a lesson to share.

O — Opportunities are everywhere — seize them! — be Observant — I try to learn from everyone. Sometimes it might be ‘what not to do’.

U — Think about what makes you unique — and keep a growing list. It may be simple — yet done with consistency and sincerity — it will soon also be your tipping point. Find the special and unique qualities about the people in your life and compliment them on that and it also a way of saying ‘thank you’ to them for being who they are.

Andrea Nierenberg is the president of The Nierenberg Group, a business communications company with a total process for educating, motivating and connecting people. Learn more at www.nierenberggroup.com

The SalesDog blog will be quiet tomorrow and Friday as we take a few days off to relax with our families and give thanks. We'll see you back here on Monday!