“Let us be quicker 
to thank others 
than to complain.” 
Desmond Tutu

How long does it take to write a thank you note? It helps, of course, to have a good supply of blank thank you notes in your desk drawer, but a simple note of gratitude can be written anytime on anything — a card, a sheet of binder paper, a Post-It note, even on a napkin. When we take the time to express our gratitude to someone, it makes a positive impact on their lives — and on ours.

I recently took my car in for routine service. The service advisor was friendly, polite, and professional. When I got home, I used the business card I was given to write a simple note of gratitude for the pleasant experience I’d had at the shop.

When I opened a new checking and savings account at a local bank recently, the service was over the top. Several of the employees stepped-in to answer questions, explain options, and make certain that I was satisfied with the help they offered. When I returned home, I wrote three quick thank you notes and put them in the mail.

I’ve written thank you notes to my dentist, cardiologist, barber, optician, insurance agent, publisher, plumber, and garage door repairman. I’ve sent notes of gratitude to my neighbors, friends, former students, classmates, colleagues, mentors, and local business owners. For this reason, I always keep a healthy supply of thank you notes in the middle drawer of my desk in my home office. 

I mentioned that sending someone a note of appreciation makes a positive impact on them — and on us. I’m not around when the recipient opens my note and reads my words of gratitude, but I would think that such an expression of gratefulness would brighten their day. As for me, the joy is in the writing and sending of the note. I get an overwhelming sense of satisfaction taking the time to express my gratitude to others. It’s definitely a win-win situation.

It seems that it has become all-too-common for people to voice their displeasure with others. I observe evidence of this almost every day. Sure, they might feel justified in letting the other person know how incompetent, ignorant, or unprofessional they are, but is it really necessary to verbalize such displeasure, often in a public venue?

Here’s another invitation and challenge: For two weeks, actively seek opportunities to write notes of gratitude to those who are doing things well, those who treat us with kindness, those who care for others when they are unable to care for themselves. Take the time to write the note and mail it. My guess is that, in doing so, you will be motivated to do it more often. 

Gratitude makes a difference!