A thought for the day …….
Thank you, is a phrase that many of us probably use daily.
However, of late, it seems to be going out of style, or to put this in the right context – is being used insufficiently.
Here is the thing- Are we using it enough, or should we be doing much better?
It is often the unsung heroes and the tireless blue-collar workers, who end up getting the least thanks although they deserve it the most.
There are others too who could do with being thanked more often! Parents, children, family, colleagues & friends. Not too sure what actually comes in the way?
Is it embarrassment, a couldn’t care less attitude or just plain absentmindedness?
Is it due to the fast pace of life we are leading?
Do we just take too many things and people for granted?
Are we too busy to show gratitude or do we feel it does not matter any longer?
Maybe we feel that we ‘pay a tip or a salary’, so that is sufficient!
Positive psychology emphasizes the fact, that any form of gratitude, is strongly linked to well-being and happiness. Being thankful, in the simplest of ways, is shown to improve our personal relationships and make us more resilient
Martin Seligman, a leader in the field of Positive Psychology, wrote, “when we take time to notice the things that go right – it means we’re getting a lot of little rewards throughout the day”
While money is certainly ‘up there as a must-have’, recognition and appreciation for a job well done, go a long way in motivating people to do better. Words and phrases like ‘great job’, ‘well done, and ‘I sincerely appreciate’, are all worth remembering and using, in our day-to-day life.
Over the years, I have spoken to a number of friends and colleagues on this topic, and many have felt, that more often than not, they are taken for granted, as they rarely receive any form of gratitude for a job well done.
So here is the question- are we becoming more callous & less sensitive to the world and people around us?
Taxi drivers, food and other delivery workers, the people who work in your house and office as support staff, the petrol pump attendant, the security guards at the gate or in our buildings, are all people we see daily, but who we tend to treat more like ‘expendable commodities’.
When was the last time you asked any of these people their names?
By this I don’t mean you have to go around asking any and everyone their name, but what about your regulars? Are the ones you pass or interact with daily closer to home or at your place of work? Care to hazard a guess? The answer could surprise you.
Have you ever asked about their lives, their families, or their well-being?
I never used to do it enough either, but have made a concerted effort over the last couple of years to do better.
However, this is no sermon from the mount, nor am I attempting to display a holier than thou attitude! All I am saying is that we must show gratitude more often.
Genuine encouragement, reassurance, empathy, and compassion should never go out of style
A genuine heartfelt thank you, along with a smile, if it’s not too much to ask for, costs nothing, but it can make someone else’s day a little better!
Want to give it a try starting today?
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