Gratitude- 5 Steps To A Sincere “Thank You”
Gratitude can improve your business and add much, much more to your life.
The simple act of saying “Thank you” typically conveys a sense of gratitude. But it must be genuine to be truly effective. And a dynamic “Thank you” is much more effective than a static one. So, when you use the phrase, mean it, and perhaps even add a smile to it.
It’s easy to say, “Thank you,’ a two-word phrase that takes less than a second to utter. In fact, it’s so easy to say that we sometimes use it out without giving it much thought. Yet giving it thought is precisely what we should be doing.
“Thank You” as a Personal and Functional Tool
We often use a “Thank you” as a polite method of accepting or rejecting something that’s been offered to us. We say, “Thank you for passing the pumpkin pie” or, when offered a second piece, “Thank you, but I’m full.” We say, “Thank you” as a way of signaling the end of a conversation, as in “Thank you” followed by a “You’re welcome,” indicating the completion of a transaction.
Saying Thank you can be a very useful tool in social relationship building. It can create an opportunity to acknowledge the actions of others, display your professionalism and demonstrate your social and emotional intelligence. Not all cultures say, “Thank you,” but most have some way of acknowledging the actions of another person, perhaps with a wave or a nod of the head.
If you look up the definition for “Thank you,” you’ll find frequent references to the concept of gratitude, as in “A polite expression of one’s gratitude” or “A conversational expression of gratitude.” The definition of the word “gratitude” includes “The state of being grateful” and “A quality of being thankful.” “Gratitude” and “Thank you” often go hand in hand, but how often do we say, “Thank you” and hear and feel gratitude?
Saying “Thank You” Is Good for Your Bottom Line
What do you think about a person or a business who appreciated your efforts or patronage? Research demonstrates that saying “Thank you” or having a “Thank you” on the bottom of a receipt, on the exit door, or at the end of a transaction can have a positive impact on customer relationships. We may not always notice when it’s there, but we often notice when it’s not. Of course, if the “Thank you” contradicts actions, the message will have less weight. But when it reinforces appreciation, it takes on additional meaning.
Over time, the familiarity of a static “Thank you” message may lose its impact, but a dynamic one that is sincere, appropriate, relevant, and noticeable will not.
When “Thank You” Means More
What is a “Thank you” really? Is it just a polite conversational expression, an acknowledgement of an action or a way to end a conversation? While it can be all of those, it can also represent much more.
At its best, a “Thank you” is a way of acknowledging a person – not the actions of the person, not the social convention associated with the situation, but of a person. In a split second, we can let the other person know we appreciate and acknowledge his or her presence. We can let someone know that we see him or her as a fellow person sharing time and perhaps a place with us. This is where a simple “Thank you” can turn into something more.
5 Small Steps to a Sincere “Thank You”
- Think about what “Thank you” means. The next time someone says it to you, stop and pay attention to how you feel. The act of thinking about an appreciation of your efforts can make you feel better about yourself and, in turn, more generous towards others. Notice also how you feel when a “Thank you” wasn’t offered in a situation. There are times when no “Thank you” is required, but it’s something we generally appreciate when genuinely offered.
- Pay attention to how often you say, “Thank you.”Consider when you missed the opportunity to say it and wished you could go back and say it later. Practice identifying more opportunities to acknowledge others.
- Identify what you’re grateful for.Think about the small things and the big things. Practice stopping and noticing what went your way, who helped you out, a time when a small act by another went further than he or she realized. Just as a yawn or a smile can be contagious, so too can gratitude.
- Be in the moment. Throwing out a “Thank you” without much thought may not harm another person but it can be a missed opportunity. The next time someone does something for you, take the time to look at the person, perhaps even smile and then say, “Thank you.” This action may take an extra second, but it’s probably a second you can spare.
- Be sincere. A sincere “Thank you” is relevant to the situation and person. Think about the moment (or a past moment if you missed the opportunity) and say more, such as “Thank you. I appreciate your efforts” or “Great job.” Write a thank-you note, say why you’re thankful in a quick email, drop by with a coffee and write “Thank you” on the cup. It’s not always the big things you do so much as it is the effort you put into acknowledging another person.
Regardless of who you are or what your relationship is: the boss or the employee; the spouse, the parent or the child; the friend, neighbor or co-worker; a customer or a merchant – there are opportunities every day to acknowledge the contributions and presence of another person. You may not only be giving someone else a boost, but also yourself.
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6 Keys to Acknowledge Others and Generate Success
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