With this simple note, I have demonstrated one of the most important actions a professional, indeed, any person, can take: expressing appreciation to another party for assistance and attention. I have thanked you for spending your treasured time on something that I hope you think is valuable.
Thank-you notes should not be avoided or postponed and can be written for different reasons. If someone helps you at work, whether by spending a few minutes discussing their industry and employment trends, introducing you to someone via email or LinkedIn, recommending you for a job or an award, or formally interviewing you for a position, you need to send them a note of appreciation. You must let that person know that you also consider the time, energy, and information expended on you to be precious.
In today’s day and age, almost everything is done online or through email. Rarely, I receive a handwritten card or note, but when I do…(insert happy dance). We are all human and desire connection. A handwritten note gives us that connection that we are looking for…the feel good, somebody-cares-enough-to-make-an-effort-for-me-connection.
But the action should be mutual. If someone gives or does something to your family, you definitely should write a thank you note. It shows that you care.
This post may contain affiliate links. This means that when the link is followed and a purchase made, I will receive a small commission.
Before you start, think about when you should write a thank you note or card.
- A Gift for you or a family member.
- A special service that someone did for you.
- Somebody helps you with something
- Thankful for a friendship/relationship
Purchase a cute set of notecards, stamps and a nice pen (because you know we can never find a decent one when we need it!) and keep it in a stylish box…ready to use in an appropriate time. I love these classy cards from Kate Spade!
If you don’t keep these items together, you will not send the card. I speak from experience- last year, I didn’t send my beautiful Christmas Cards out because I kept forgetting to buy stamps and then it was too late.
My cards still sit in a stack in my home office.
Lesson Learned.
TIPS ON PENNING THE PERFECT THANK YOU NOTE
A thank you note will make you stand out from the crowd. Whether it’s short and sweet or long and detailed, it’s the thoughtfulness that counts. Here are six key pieces from Sugar Paper to include in every thank you:
- The Greeting
- The Gratitude
- How You’ll Use It
- Until Next Time
- Many Thanks
- Sign Off
A few other guidelines to keep in mind when penning a thank you: a note is appreciated any time it’s received, but we suggest knocking them out as soon as you get a chance. Having a huge list of thank you notes to write can be overwhelming.
If you have a tough time keeping track of gifts and your thank you notes, use an agenda that includes tracking pages for keeping a record of thoughtful gifts over the years and making sure you write a thank you for each.
Gratitude never goes out of style.
Check out my article, Kindness in the Workplace, and purchase a cheap, but pretty set of notecards so you are ready to engage in the challenge!
…Or read some more from Work it Women…
- Rise to the Top of Any Interview in 5 steps
- 5 Ways to Refresh & De-Stress after a Tough Week
- The Benefits of Waking Up Early Each Day
Free Resources & Tools
GRAB A CUP & BROWSE OUR FREE PRINTABLE TOOLS & RESOURCES
Leave a Reply