Falling in line with my last post on getting anyone to talk to you, I want to plant a likely reminder for most of you. As the 18th century author Samuel Johnson once wrote: "people need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed."
I remind you or instruct (for those that this is new news) to never let up on sending handwritten notes. The handwritten note creates a memory and becomes a treasure to the recipient. For one, based on the fact that handwritten notes have beenlost in our email world - your note's arrival will be a surprise. It will immediately separate you from the mmajority.
I am at two conferences this week and meeting new people.One conference I got to attend and speak @ in Minneapolis will generate professional relationships. The other conference is in Atlanta in which I am one of 12,000 and will meet many professional and personal friends. Next week when I am back in my office, much of my initial mornings will have me putting pen to paper and not fingers to keys. While everyone else will be sending emails and crowding the recipients already jammed inbox, my notes will show up once the storm has settled and they'll be a sunshine vs a rain.
When someone impacts your life in a positive way this week, make a "note to self" to write them a note next week, seal it with happiness and send it on its way. The person that impacts your life might even be a server at a restaurant - send them a note. When people who you serve at work do something that adds value to you - send them a note to their house. It will get great mileage for them and your relationships will grow stronger.
See if you can write 5 notes over the next 3 weeks and post a comment or email me when you get a "thank you for the note" from the recipient. If you post a comment on how this worked out for you, I will send the first 3 commenters a gift.
A few simple thoughts for your notes:
1) Do not try to be a literary or handwriting genius. Make it simple and legible. Tell the recipient what they specifically did that added value to you (they will repeat the behavior or task that you praise them for).
2) Put a stamp on it and mail it to them. It has to arrive in their mail - not in an inner-office box or be handed over by a friend.
3) Keep it short if you can - just a short paragraph. Make it memorable.
4) Once you pick up this habit, get your own personalized stationery.
Enjoy...
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