The Magical Effect of Saying "Thank You" (Often!)

Life is no fairy tale, although it has a few magical actions that can create a very powerful and positive effect in ourselves and those around us. Expressing gratitude by saying “thank you” is one of those actions. Genuine gratitude can radically change our outlook of life, the way we think about ourselves and how we interact with others.

Saying “thank you” is gratifying for both the “thanker” and the “thankee”. By saying “thank you” we create a positive emotional state for ourselves. It increases our happiness and self-worth. It is a boost to our esteem. Appreciation and gratitude for others’ support, contributions and work result in our personal well-being. Don’t we feel excited and gratified when we see the smiles in the faces of those receiving our “thank you”?

Saying “thank you” also reinforces the positive behaviors and actions that the “thankee” is doing for us. It is the way to tell them that we are grateful for what they do for us, no matter whether a small or a big thing. It’s an intentional and purposeful approach to show that we acknowledge and recognize the effort and energy they put into helping us.

Please, don’t think that because somebody has to do something for you they are obliged to do so with a great attitude. Be thankful and live the gratitude through your actions, regardless of what others are doing for you. It is then when everybody will be more motivated to do what they do for you in a better, happier and, for sure, more energetic way.

A short story for gratitude renewal

I recently had a somewhat awakening experience. I was en route to complete a complex task that had taken a lot of my time and energy (I was 99.9% there!). This task was part of what I had to do, and probably everybody else expected me to do it. One person came to me, and without any kind of regard for all that had been done and the energy spent in it, complained about the remaining 0.1% and demanded it to be done right away.

I wasn’t mad at that person. On the contrary, I felt it was a message to renew my approach of being more thankful than ever for what others do for me. I thought that it didn’t matter the moment somebody would do something or even if the task they were doing was not complete yet. What really matters is that all of us feel more inspired to fully give ourselves into helping others when they are genuinely thankful for what we do.

This renewed feeling came to me with a new message, though.

I thought about the compelling idea that we must be thankful and show appreciation especially when no one is expecting it from us. Our “thank yous” have to be even louder when what others do for us is what we expect them to do. It is a way to truly show that we value what they do, whether small routinely things or complex tasks.

Never stop saying “thank you”

Research shows that appreciation results in an increase of 50% of additional help offered in the workplace. That’s no small thing. Besides being so significant, this additional 50% of help comes with a more positive attitude, more motivation and energy, and more willingness to do it all over again the more “thank you” we receive. 

Saying “thank you” is free, and we shouldn’t hesitate in saying it. Only by continually being thankful will be receive even more appreciation and support from others. Nobody really is obliged to do anything for us. Yet, when they do something, it is so powerful to tell them that we feel great for them doing it

Say thank you often, because like most positive things you do, it always returns to you in one way or another. 2017 will be a very challenging year for too many people around the world. We can help everybody just a little bit by smiling at them and saying “thank you for what you do for me”.

Go and try it. Become a “thank you” giver and spread the joy that comes with appreciation and gratitude. 

This is a great day so be thankful!

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