Gratitude Unwrapped

With Thanksgiving making its annual appearance, I’m back on my reflective merry-go-round, musing on two simple words?—?Thank you.

Permanent Lesson

It was the winter of 2004. Mumbai.

A critical project at E Dot Solutions, for the client Standard Chartered Bank.

The project was daunting, the timeline ambitious, and the pressure immense. As a Team Lead, I watched my team pour their heart and soul into the work, often staying late into the night. ????

?? The turning point came not from what we did, but from what our boss did. In a week of particularly intense work, he chose to stay right there with us, through the grilling days and long nights.?

This gesture alone was powerful, but what followed was even more impactful.?

At the end of that week, our boss gathered us together. Weary and worn, we expected a debriefing, but instead, we were met with heartfelt appreciation.?“Your dedication is unmatched, and your efforts are the backbone of this success,”he said, his words resonating with sincerity. ??

It was like a spark in dry grass. Our team, once tired, was suddenly energized again. We felt more united and successful than ever.?

That moment showed me the real power of a ‘thank you’?—?it can turn weariness into energy and turn challenges into victories. ??

My boss’s gesture was a masterclass in leadership for me. It showed me how a sincere ‘thank you’ can sometimes be the most powerful tool in a leader’s arsenal.

“People may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them?feel”?

Maya Angelou’s words never felt more true.

Beyond Words

The best part?—?the power of appreciation didn’t just stay within the confines of office walls. It seeped into my personal life, reshaping my interactions in a way I never expected. ????

One evening, shortly after the intense project phase, I was having a timely dinner with family?—?which had been a rare occurence. That’s when I took a moment. “I appreciate you all for being so understanding and supportive these past few weeks,” I said, in a trembling tone.?

The response was immediate and heartwarming?—?genuine smiles, a few tears, and a shared sense of relief. It was just a simple statement, but it carried weight.?

It wasn’t about any grand gestures or elaborate words; it was about acknowledging their patience and unconditional love.

Appreciation is so much more than just words. It’s about recognizing the small sacrifices, the quiet support, and the unspoken understanding that often goes unnoticed.

In a chaotic world where I often took my closest relationships for granted,?a pause and a dash of gratitude?reminded me of the beauty and value of my near ones.

I made ‘thank you’ my second nature.

Misunderstood Art

Learning to appreciate both at work and in my personal life hasn’t been without its comical moments. There’s one instance that stands out when I tried to show appreciation but ended up in a bit of a mix-up. ??♂???

While running my little UX shop: IDYeah Creations, I had decided to buy some gifts for my team, as a token of gratitude for their hard work.?

Excited, I carefully picked what I thought were perfect presents. However, when I handed them out, the reactions were… ????. One team member was allergic to the chocolates I’d chosen, and another didn’t drink coffee, which was part of the gift set.

My well-intentioned gesture had unintentionally overlooked their preferences. And the comical irony of the situation was that I was selling myself as a UX designer ??.

?? The lesson about the misunderstood art was clear?—?genuine appreciation requires much more than just good intentions. It demands a bit of thought, a touch of personalization, and a good understanding of the people you’re acknowledging.

The Blueprint

Here’s an overview of my handbook?—?built and refined over the years, thanks ?? to everyone who helped inspire and shape this.??

1. Observation?—?I make a conscious effort to stay aware and pay close attention to those around me. Noticing the small things?—?how my partner reads my mood and offers to be a listener, how my colleague reminds me of a trivial but important task, and so on. It gives me plenty of opportunities for genuine appreciation.
2. Personalization?—?As I learnt from my gifting mishap, I have since then always focused on personalizing my appreciation?—?a select choice of flower bouquet to my friend after her dance performance, a customized collection of songs to a friend’s mom for her kindness, and so on.
3. Timing?—?I no longer wait for a special occasion to express gratitude. If someone does something that brightens my day, I let them know right away. I feel timeliness adds sincerity to the sentiment.
4. Words?—?I am so done with generic thank you’s. I choose my words carefully to specify what exactly I appreciate. It could be someone’s dedication, their creative solution, or their unwavering support.
5. Actions?—?I often like to express ‘thank you’ with deeds instead of words. Whether it’s taking over a task for a colleague who’s swamped, or simply being there to listen to a friend without judgment.
6. Habit?—?Lastly, I’ve made gratitude a habit, not an obligation. It’s a part of who I am, the trigger is conscious, but the expression is subconscious, natural, and personal.

Ripple Effect

‘Thank you’ is like throwing a pebble into a pond; the ripples extend far beyond the initial splash. ??

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving?it.”

William Arthur Ward rightfully points out that gratitude should not just be a feel-good rhetoric; it should be a vehicle driven with intention?—?that would mend bridges, form unbreakable bonds, or simply brighten someone’s day!

As I conclude, a special shout-out to all my friends, family, professors, and colleagues. This is my only ‘generic’ thanks ??, but it’s sincere.????