There is real power in those two words. When you say thank you, you can make someone feel seen and heard. You acknowledge someone’s hard work — probably work done on your behalf, and you show your appreciation for that labor. Thank you can also soften a blow of not being interested, like when you turn down an offer by saying “no, thank you.” Thank you is polite, it’s often said without too much thought, as a courtesy. But more often than not, thank you has the power to transform both those who pause and offer thanks as well as those who receive thanks. Even when it’s your job or whatever you did was expected, a thank you just makes you feel good. 

I serve as the state president of a volunteer board. This group of women juggle it all — family, careers, community. And our board isn’t an afterthought or an easy commitment. As we finished out 2021, we were stretched thin. Progress felt slow, meetings were both too long and too short, and there was a near constant list of “everything else” begging for our focus and attention. 

At our final planning meeting before Christmas, I looked at my computer screen, filled with the wonderful faces of these women who have become friends. I saw the work they were doing for our board and for every other commitment in their lives and I was overwhelmed with gratitude for them. While I couldn’t possibly know the specifics of each board member’s calendar, I knew at that moment, we were present together, working together even when it was difficult and we had as many visions as we have members, and so I told them thank you. Thank you for the work they do, for the commitment they keep, for their generosity with their time, intelligence, and words. And I believe they heard me because they said it back and acknowledged what I was contributing as well. And at that moment, our shoulders relaxed a little bit and the work was easier.    

I will shamelessly tell you, I love a thank you. I know some of you might not. But for me, it’s gold. Whether it’s from a client or my kids or a friend, when someone says thank you, I feel lighter. If I was slogging it before, I feel energized to keep going. Knowing someone has seen my efforts and felt compelled to let me know it’s appreciated is sometimes all I need to refocus and get back to work. And not being thanked has a similar effect. When no one says a word of thanks, whether it be for something like a project delivered early or a family dinner, I wonder if it was worth the extra effort — or any effort at all, really. 

For me, there’s never a wrong time to say thank you, but there can be a wrong agenda. Telling someone you appreciate them, or their efforts, or their work should be a genuine expression of gratitude. It doesn’t have to be spontaneous, but you should absolutely mean it. And mean it with no hope for future endeavors. When a family member helps me with something around the house, I let them know I appreciate it, but I’m not using a thank you as a bribe or manipulation to get them to do it again. (Anyone remember being told if you liked getting Christmas presents you better send a good thank you note the very next day?) 

The same goes with clients. I thank my clients for every work project because I am genuinely grateful for each opportunity. And in December, I took time to send many of my clients a quick note of appreciation, although I try to make sure my clients feel appreciated all year long. I hope they understand my thankfulness and know that I am truly grateful for their partnerships — without hope or agenda. While December is an excellent time to send a thank you to your clients, or those with whom you are professionally associated, via holiday mail, there’s nothing magical about the end of the year. A heart-felt thank you can be sent anytime. 

And to that end, even though it’s January and the big holiday season is behind us, thank you, dear reader, for your time today, for reading my little blog. I hope you feel inspired to offer thanks and gratitude to others with reckless abandon, today and everyday. 

Cheers.