It’s Not That Hard
It is truly not that hard to stand out in the crowd of drab "sameness" - to have an impact on personal and professional relationships that is both heard and felt.
I received a letter recently that exemplifies the simplicity of it all...
It was a well-written thank you note.
That's it. And that was more than enough.
It wasn't hand-written. It wasn't individually addressed to me. It wasn't "gushing" with praise for my unique contributions.
Though all those things have their place, this note didn't need any of that additional flair.
Its very existence was enough.
This note came from a world where "thank you" is hardly ever said. And when it does happen to come our way, it is often in passing during a fly-by.
Even then, it is much appreciated. But this one? It was different.
Someone took the time to:
acknowledge a letter was warranted
sit down and write out 3 extended paragraphs as to why
address it to a subset of recipients (it wasn't blanket-sent to "everybody" that does what I do - it was a targeted send)
played to the bigger picture of the role we share in setting our youth up for success by playing "a vital part in their maturity and development"
This was intentional.
This was beautiful.
This will leave a lasting impression.
This was not hard.
What are you doing to stand out in the crowd of drab "sameness"?
As you intentionally lean in to this question, don't forget the tribe that is already around you – your family, your team, your clients, your customers, your vendors...
A meaningful note of thanks can go a long, long way in setting you apart.
It's not hard. But hardly anyone is doing it.
Blessings to you, my friends!
==========
This Week’s Resource Recommendation:
"I Want to Thank You: How a Year of Gratitude Can Bring Joy and Meaning in a Disconnected World"
– Gina Hamadey
Welcome to the Thanksgiving season! What? You’ve not thought of this as a ‘season’ before? In a world where Halloween and Christmas have been unreasonably commercialized and extended into overlap, Thanksgiving can easily get lost in the excess. What might it look like for you and I to bring a stronger emphasis to the holiday tucked in-between? Let’s not make it a passing fancy. Let’s give Thanksgiving the emphasis it more than deserves!
From Amazon: How can we turn an often-dreaded task into a rewarding act of self-care that makes us feel more present, joyful, and connected? Whether we're writing to a long-lost friend, a helpful neighbor, or a child's teacher, this inspiring book helps us reflect on meaningful memories and shared experiences and express ourselves with authenticity, vulnerability, and heart. Informed by Hamadey's year of discovery as well as interviews with experts on relationships, gratitude, and more, this deceptively simple guide offers a powerful way to jump-start your joy.
Hamadey found herself thanking not only family members and friends, but less expected people in her sphere, including local shopkeepers, physical therapists, long-ago career mentors, favorite authors, and more. Once you get going, you might find yourself cultivating an active gratitude practice, too--one heartfelt note of thanks at a time.
MMS 24-19
I would love to send our Monday Morning Stretch directly to you via email and would consider it an honor to serve you in this way. To register, please take 30 seconds to give us permission to do so below.
Blessings to you, my friend!
