Thanksgiving is around the corner, my favorite holiday of the year. Of course, there is great food–pumpkin pies, turkey with all the trimmings, twice-baked potatoes–and time with family and friends. But what makes this holiday special is the reminder to pause and say “thank you,” to be grateful and appreciate what we have.
Saying thank you is one of the most powerful things we can do to strengthen our personal and business relationships.
Some would say that conveying thanks is becoming a lost art. Not so. A brief Internet search turned up a host of wonderful approaches to expressions of gratitude that show that gratitude is alive and well. What do they have in common?
- Sincerity: Speak from the heart and mean what you say.
- Simplicity: Plain language and a few words go a long way.
- Specificity: Point out what you are grateful for to make your words personal and memorable.
Here are a few tips for how to say thank you, and here are a few examples of my favorite appreciation and thank you quotes:
The last thing I say on most phone calls is not, ‘Goodbye,’ but, ‘Thank you.’
—Marshall Goldsmith, Leadership coach and business executive
Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.
–Oprah Winfrey
Thank you, God, for this good life, and forgive us if we do not love it enough.
—Garrison Keillor, author
Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.
–Maya Angelou
In the spirit of this wonderful holiday, I’d like to say thank you to:
- my clients who trust in me and allow me to do great work that matters;
- my colleagues and partners who are a source of learning and inspiration;
- my family and friends, who support me in every way with their love, encouragement, and wise counsel.
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!! Thank you for being a part of my journey.
