One of the first short sentences we learn as children, and, in turn, teach our own children is “Thank you.” But, how often do we remember to say these sweet little magic words? How different our world would be if we each remembered to say “thank you” throughout the day.
Why is saying “thank you” so important?
Feeling appreciated is extremely motivating. When we aren’t feeling appreciated, we may not be as motivated to continue doing our best. Our self-worth may falter, and we don’t have as much to give to ourselves and to others.
Part of human nature is the desire to be recognized and to feel important. Each of us has a deep need to know that we matter. What we do and who we are matters. When a simple “thank you” is expressed to us, we feel worthy. When we express “thank you” to another person, we are telling them that they matter.
This is most apparent to me with my own kids. When I praise and thank them for a job well done, they beam with a sense of accomplishment and are more likely to continue trying their best and doing helpful things. Their self-worth and confidence increase as well. This is exactly what we want for our children!
There are countless ways to say “thank you.” Here are three simple ways to get you started.
- Brighten someone’s day by saying “thank you.” It could be at the grocery store, the gas station, or the post office. Make eye contact, smile, and be specific and sincere. “Thank you for ___________.”
- Communication has changed rapidly within the last decade, and getting a card in the mail is a rare occurrence. Brighten someone’s day with an unexpected handwritten thank you note in his or her mailbox.
- Thank your family members or roommates. It’s easy to become complacent and accustomed to things those closest to us do for us on a daily basis. For example, unloading the dishwasher, folding laundry, picking up toys or wiping off the counters often go unnoticed. Pay a little extra attention to the little things that add up to big things that help make your home run more smoothly.
We call “thank you” magic words for a reason. When used, they have great power to change someone’s day, to cheer someone up, to strengthen relationships, and to encourage positive behavior. We are letting people know that they matter to us. Most of all, when we remember to say “thank you,” we are reminding ourselves to be grateful for the abundance in our lives and helping to show others how to do the same.
