It’s Never Too Early Or Too Late To Say “Thank You”

Career Kuel Category Expert: Gayle Petrillo

November is the time many cultures traditionally celebrate Thanksgiving. Showing gratitude right now is more important than ever.

We want to take time to thank those we love and love us in return – spouses, parents, children, neighbors and friends. It’s also a time to share gratitude with those we work with including employees, teachers, and other colleagues.

If you are fortunate enough to have a job, clients or other means of revenue, show your appreciation. Sharing appreciation only takes a moment; however, it will likely make someone’s day. Who are you thankful for? Do you have an assistant, someone who answers your phone, makes your appointments, or otherwise supports you so you can be you?

It’s Never Too Early Or Too Late To Say “Thank You”.

It’s always appreciated. Gratitude comes in many forms.

“There are so many benefits to showing your gratitude”

Handwritten thank you notes never go out of style and arrive completely by surprise in the mail. Email thank you’s are acceptable as well. And, a verbal thank you goes quite a long way also.

Last month, after referring someone to another coach, I was delighted when I went to my mailbox and saw a package addressed to me. It was a mug and a box of flavored tea with a thank you note for the referral. I hadn’t expected it and it made my day. I immediately sent off an email to the coach thanking her for my thank you gift.

There are so many benefits to showing your gratitude. Not only does the recipient feel important, the giver is rewarded as well.

How Often Do We Say “Thank You”?

“There’s a lot to be grateful for – we just need to look to see.”

There are so many times we have been taken advantage of and taken advantage of others. Not necessarily intentionally, but it happens. Those we see every day – our spouses and kiddos. How often do we say “Thank you!”

During COVID-19, I’ve uncharacteristically been doing most of the cooking for dinner. I’m enjoying it. New recipes challenge me in a good way and serve as a stress reliever and deterrent from self-pity and sadness, as I think about the friends and colleagues I miss seeing while isolating. The other night, as I put the dishes in the sink after dinner, my husband reached around my waist, pecked my cheek with a kiss and said, “thank you for a delicious dinner. I’ll do the clean up.” Now that’s a thank you!

Gratitude also is, as alluded to in a prior blog, looking at glasses half full rather than half empty. Be grateful for the silver linings that pop up unexpectedly as we move into month eight of our social distancing. We are zooming with family and friends and therefore are seeing them much more than we would normally see those whom are across the country, or in another country. Some of us are rebuilding our savings by eating out less often, no longer commuting, and avoiding purchasing clothing.

I’m grateful for many people and things in my life — family, friends and technology. There’s a lot to be grateful for – we just need to look to see.