I Thank You

Thank you's are an expression of gratitude that is often overlooked. Sometimes people do not think that a simple thank you for a simple task is warranted.  Sometimes its those little "I Thank You" comments that can change someones attitude.  We're all had requests to do something that seems so trivial.  Occassionaly the thought of "Why cant he/she do this themselves? It's not like its rocket science!".  So you grumble, ge tit done, send it on its merry way all a while still being annoyed.  Then not to long after wards, the person comes by to thank you or sends you a note of thanks.  All of a sudden you feel like you did something good to help someone else.  Okay, maybe the scenario is a bit too simplfied  but you get my drift.  Below is an excerpt for a newsletter that I recieve from Dr. Alan Zimmerman.

                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I thank you.

Gratitude is exquisite. And those who express a great deal of gratitude always seem to have the most friends, the best friends, and the closest friends ... versus those who take people (and what they do) for granted. In fact, I would wager to say that the people who have the smallest, most constricted circle of friends are those who do not have an attitude of gratitude. They seldom say, "I thank you."

As I've traveled and spoken around the world, I've learned that these three words might be the most important words for me to share with others, especially if I learn to speak to them in their language. These three words have brought out smiles, started relationships, and opened doors to business opportunities that might not have come about any other way.

The secret is to be genuinely thankful and genuinely humble when you say these three words. As the famed basketball coach John Wooden taught me, "Talent is God given; be humble. Fame is man-given; be grateful. Conceit is self-given; be careful."

Not too long ago, I received these three words ... "I thank you" ... from Father Philip Chircop, a Jesuit priest from the island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. He wrote, "I have been reading your 'Tuesday Tip' for many years, and your tips have often informed and reformed me as I deliver retreats. So I am taking some time to send you this short note as I hold you deep in my heart, with deep gratitude, for the gift that you are to so very many people."


He went on to say:


"May your day be blessed,


May your words be blessed,


May your dreams and desires be blessed,


May your life be blessed, and


May this present moment be blessed."


His words made a profound impact on my life. Go out there and tell people "I thank you." It's one of the greatest of all motivational phrases and one of the surest relationship builders. 


*2010 Dr. Alan R. Zimmerman. Reprinted with permission from Dr. Alan Zimmerman's Internet newsletter, the 'Tuesday Tip.' For your own personal, free subscription to the 'Tuesday Tip' as well as information on Dr. Zimmerman's keynotes and seminars, go to http://www.drzimmerman.com/ or call 800-621-7881