Thanksgiving is over. The turkey became Turkey sandwiches, the stuffing will remain for weeks and you’re likely to run out of ice cream long before the leftover pie. So what do you have to be thankful for, besides lots of great leftovers? Like most people, you undoubtedly gave thanks for your family and friends, health and countless other personal blessings. But, did you give thanks for your professional interests as well? What about your team, customers, business partners and boss?
Did you give thanks for your team? What about that night when they stayed later than normal and cranked out the project just in time to meet the deadline that you committed them to? Did you thank them then? Did you thank them this weekend?
Did you give thanks for your customers? Remember the customer that signed a big deal just in time for you to meet your quarterly numbers? How did you show them your appreciation?
What about your business partners? Remember that Value-Added Reseller that warned you about the product’s limitations before you wasted money on the wrong version? When did you thank them?
Finally, but certainly not least, did you thank your boss? Remember when she pushed you to meet that tight deadline that she committed you to? You worked hard, but met the deadline and the organization celebrated as a result. You got that award for going above and beyond. Your performance review looked great as a result. Maybe even that boss you did not like, the one that did not support your idea and created a real roadblock? You still succeeded though, in part because you were stronger for their resistance. Did you thank them at all?
When giving thanks, remember, time is more precious than money. “Thanks giving” does not require purchasing food or gifts. It does not mean you must sign a bonus check or necessarily commit to a raise (though it certainly helps). No, time is more precious than money. Stop by your team member’s office, visit your business partner for lunch or take that time to email your old boss and let them know how they helped your career.
Yes, even this holiday season, regardless of our economic struggles, we have plenty for which we are thankful. Certainly family, friends, health and other blessings in our personal lives are reason for gratitude. Just do not forget to show your gratitude to those in your professional life as well. Even those that challenged you. Especially those that challenged you.
“Appreciate everything your associates do for the business. Nothing else can quite substitute for a few well-chosen, well-timed, sincere words of praise. They’re absolutely free and worth a fortune.”
– Sam Walton
On a personal Post Note. I want to thank that amazing team that knocked out a huge project, just in time for the Thanksgiving break. Now we all have reasons to give thanks for the incredible business results you delivered. Thank you all.
