Something as simple as a little note can go a long way in making someone feel appreciated.
I share a flaw with a majority of my generation. This flaw does not prevent us from accomplishing much and does not bring ruin to our relationships, but it is a big deal. We’ve been taught well to take responsibility when we falter or fail, so saying “I’m sorry,” comes easily. The two words that seem to be more difficult to say are “Thank you.”
I could go into a litany of excuses and reasons for this common flaw in my generation, but at the heart of the matter is a recognition that we cannot do everything on our own. If you are like me, it is even difficult to accept thanks at times, probably because you want those people self-sufficient enough to be able to do whatever it is that they needed your help with. Ask yourself, when was the last time you felt completely comfortable accepting thanks from someone. Then ask yourself, when was the last time you let someone know how much you appreciated their help. Chances are that those two times are very similar.
I don’t know if giving thanks makes it easier to receive thanks or vice versa, but either way I do know that I need to make sure that I am actively thanking the people around me. You’d think that it would be more natural to considering how much a thank you note means to me. The thank you note above is even pinned to the wall of my cubical. I didn’t need that note to make me feel good, but knowing that I was appreciated meant a lot to me.
Do you have a difficult time thanking others or accepting thanks, or does it just come natural to you?