How many times do we look back and think, I wish I had thanked so and so for thier work on my.......?
Gratitude works in interesting ways, as we work to take care of families and all of our commitments we lose sight of the many people who help us make that happen.
In the Real Estate industry, we see vendors, coaches, assistants, admin, and countless others who have taught us over the years and helped shaped the offer that we are today. Imagine if you had to itemize all of the people who made an impact on your life and career, no matter how slight? How long would that take you?
So, how do we create some action out of this thought?
It a pay it forward proposition in many ways, but I am thinking of broader terms.
As a aspirinig baseball player in high school, I had a coach who made us sit down and write a list of the people we should thank for getting to this point. It was an all star team that I was very proud to be on, but I was really disoriented by his request. Thank the people who got you here??? I was in fact, a typical teenager.
So, I began my list with some trepidation; but my list was not unlike most of the other players: my parents, past coaches, teachers, neighbors, teammates, etc.
What stopped me in my tracks was the sheer number of people who impacted me.....and I was only thinking about baseball as a teenager! I was moved and found myself immediately wanting to say thank you. But, was it enough?
Today, I am a mortgage broker and have been in the lending industry for over 26 years. Can you even begin to visualize the number of people who have offered insight, shared ideas or simply supported me in some way? It would take me weeks to compile a list!
So, my first thought is to thank each person going forward. Some are life long friends, family, and mentors or coaches. Others are my mechanic, contractor,
My second thought was to show a commitment to people who have impacted me by endorsing them, with recommendations and likes, thumbs up and the sort. I would refer them and show my gratitude.
My third thought, and perhaps most powerful thought, was to move with integrity and authenticity - meaning that most of what I learned was good manners, good ethics and balance in any pursuit that I chose to follow.
Breaking it down into something powerful
I found as I considered this large thought of thanking the many impacters of my life, I owed them a life debt in some cases; profound learning and help that allowed me to have some success in many facets of my life.
So, here was the simplified list of what I have learned during this thought process -
1) Be mindful. In every way - so even if someone made a small contribution to me, I would be understanding, grateful and accepting.
2) Offer input- but ONLY if asked for it. It is so easy to assume everyone else needs help, and that we are the person to help them. This is one area to be very careful with, and to only offer input in an area of competence.
3) Openly thank people. I am not going to do somersaults (I may end up in traction!), but I will look you in the eye when I thank you. I will carry a commitment if you have done something impactful for me, and I will look for ways to contribute back to the individual, company or community as appropriate.
Time for your input!
How do you thank people? Particularly ones who have made clear, long term impressions on your life? Your career?
Share your comments and insights, and allow me to thank you for reading the blog, and especially for your time.
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