Every Monday we invite our resident Etiquette Expert, CareySue Vega (@Etiquette101), to share tips when it comes to etiquette in the workplace during our own Manner Monday segment.
I know, I know, you’re rolling your eyes and groaning already. When we think of thank you notes most of us have vivid flashbacks to our childhood as our parents threatened us within an inch of our lives if we didn’t write Grandmother a timely thank you note for the fuzzy footed pajamas we received for our 15th birthday. It was painful, we were told we ‘had’ to do it – and we didn’t like it, much less understand WHY in the world it even mattered.
With experiences like that, it’s no wonder why so many adults didn’t carry the art of the handwritten note with them into their careers. Yes, as adults we still think of the ‘expected’ note we should be receiving for a wedding present or baby gift. However it’s when we receive that ‘unexpected’ handwritten note, THAT is what stops us in our tracks, it was unexpected. First of all, it’s not a bill! Wahoooo… Second, it’s handwritten and the person who sent it did so ‘just because’. Wow.
Instead of a chore, think of handwritten notes as an opportunity. Think of it as an opportunity to build a relationship, as a way to show gratitude towards a client or coworker, and as a way to make a great lasting and positive impression. Anyone can send a thank you note via email or text message. If you want to step up your game and take your career to the next level, keep some note cards and stamps in a convenient location and make it part of your weekly routine. Trust me, the small amount of time you take to make it happen will pay off ten-fold in the long run. It will help you to build your network and relationships faster than anything else you do.
Thank You Notes
If you need a little motivation about the process, I would recommend reading 365 Thank Yous: The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Change My Life by John Kralik. It’s an easy but powerful read about the positive impact of the handwritten note.
