Do you want to feel great and improve your health today? Just say, “Thank You.”
I’ve contemplated for weeks with eager anticipation about the topic for this first blog. I’ve got literally hundreds of topics to discuss and will get to every one over the next couple of years. The immediate focus will come from the over 50 topics contained within the manuscript of my upcoming book, Three Points of Contact.
The Pink Elephant in the room is “Cancer Treatment” and this topic surfaces during most of my discussions on radio interviews back in the states and around Europe. The topic of “Cancer” surfaces in my motivational presentations and is assuredly the center pole in the tent and the Grand Finale of Three Points of Contact. I just mentioned some insightful cancer deterring methods in the taping of my iTunes podcast named the Communication Concierge and I promise to cover all those areas in the upcoming blogs.
I narrowed the non-cancer related topics to: goal setting and dreams, travel, communication, enthusiasm, resiliency, mentorship and the universal law of belief. I finally decided on Giving Thanks and the Art and Amazing benefits you will get from giving thanks for this first post. Three Points of Contact has one chapter focused directly on giving thanks named, Integrate Thanks into you Daily Life.
Obviously giving thanks comes in the form of verbal and non-verbal thanks. The power of giving verbal thanks is just as powerful for your health and well-being as the traditional thank you note. This particular blog will focus on the hand-written thank you note. We will keep in mind the close neighbor – the verbal gratitude of thanks.
Your life will turn around when you get used to giving thanks in the way of the handwritten note. I’ve written three thank you notes a day for the past 10 days in preparation for this introductory blog. 25 notes in the mail and 5 notes hand delivered. I enjoy the immediacy of the smile and the reaction from the hand delivered note. If the note is for thankful services rendered, I will hand deliver to the supervisor or boss to ensure the employee recognition and thanks is received by both verbal and a written note. The 25 notes in the mail are fantastic because I get energized from everyone I send.
I’ve pasted below some notes from my upcoming book, Three Points of Contact, on: (1) the benefits of sending thank you notes and (2) some tips on how to write the perfect thank you note ~ Enjoy!
1. The Benefits of Sending Thank You Notes
Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.
Buddah
The benefits of sending handwritten thank you notes are endless. You are doing far more than distinguishing yourself from anyone else in the business world or your competition. Business is about making contacts and the thank you note is the best way to make an impression and also make you feel amazing. Your client, future employer, or just a close friend may have met with a couple hundred people today, you will be remembered for leaving the thank you note and most of all you will feel great! In a selfish way the biggest recipient of giving thanks will be for yourself. You will feel joy, happiness and the accomplishment of knowing that you are making someone else’s day very special. Let me share a few tip from my upcoming book on this unique skill.
Advantages of the thank you note:
- Feel great about yourself – try one today – and see how you feel.
- Relieve stress, which makes you a happier person. Proven stress reliever ~ inner bliss.
- Relieve the recipients’ stress, thus making them healthier.
- Create a positive impact to those receiving your thanks, making you more memorable and making you stand out from others.
- Put a smile on someone’s face. In most cases you will not see that big end result and smile…but you know and that makes it all worth it.
Try sending out thank you notes at every opportunity you get: Thank someone who hosts you at his/her home for dinner, when you receive a gift, when someone provides a particular good service ….the list goes on and on. Starting with the first thank you note you send, you’ll notice a difference in the mental, emotional, and spiritual quality of your life.
2. How to Write the Perfect Thank You Note
If the only prayer you ever say your entire life is thank you, then that’s enough.
Meister Eckhart
My first thank you note was to golfer I caddied for when I was thirteen years old. Since then, I have written thousands of these wonderful notes. I have my own personal techniques I’ve learned over the years, and you will develop your own style. There’s actually a recommended tactic to assist you in writing the perfect thank you note. Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert and the owner of the Protocol School of Texas, recommends:
- A hand written note is always special.
- Use a dark colored ink, preferably black, when sending a professional thank you note.
- Address the card carefully; making sure the name of the person is spelled accurately.
- Mention something specific about the gift, if applicable, and how you plan to use or enjoy it the future.
- Don’t mention a denomination of money; rather, say your “generous” gift.
- Purchase nice, seasonal stamps or invest in forever stamps.
- Create a thank you note cache that is easily accessible when you are ready to sit down and write a thank you note. Include nice card stock, stamps, and a variety of writing pens and note cards.
Start by writing at least one handwritten thank you note a day for the next week. When you’ve made it through the seven days, write me a comment below and let me know how you feel after giving written thanks. Everyone who responds will get a thank you note from me personally from here in Germany!
Enjoy and LIVE the Three Points of Contact!
Go Get Em’
~ Greg
41 Comments
Chuck Godwin
February 18, 2015Greg,
I want to thank you for our friendship and fellowship. Although you are not always at the top of my list, when you surface, it is a joy of good memories.
Don’t eat the Fries.
GregCheek
May 2, 2015Thanks Chuck!
Joshua
February 18, 2015Great message Greg! Super proud of you brother.
Greg
May 18, 2015Thanks Josh,
So proud of the way your moving up in your business. You are an amazing communicator and sales and marketing is your wheelhouse!
the sky is the limit!
Cheers
Greg
April B
February 19, 2015Greg,
I wan’t to say thank you for this blog, I am excited to write this to you because I really mean thank you. I have learned a lot from your post and look forward to writing many thank you notes to you and other people who have touched my life in some way. You are right when you say by writing a thank you letter will make you feel good. because I feel good. I love to say thank you from the start of waking up to going to sleep and include those. in my Thank you to God! By writing this and other thank you letter’s I did find stress to be released, In fact It brings about peace within. I hope I put a smile on your face and wish you many more days of happiness and by the way
THANK YOU
AGAIN
April Baker
Greg
May 18, 2015Thanks April!
You are an amazing student! Good luck in everything you do!
Cheers
Greg
Darlene Pardue
May 15, 2015Greg,
I too, want to say thank you for guiding me to this blog! Everything I read from you has a positive and much needed impact on my life. I’m going to be a follower of your teachings and hopefully a positive by-product! I truly hope to one day meet you and although the handwritten note is a wonderful gesture of thankfulness, I’d like to thank you in person!
Greg
May 18, 2015Thanks Darlene,
I will keep my speaking experiences up to date on my web site and I hope to say, “Thanks” in person as well! Have a Great Day! Greg
Lisa Recupero
May 16, 2015Mr. Cheek,
Thank you for sharing your blog; you are such a positive person! I enjoyed reading your thoughts on writing thank you notes, and how it makes the other person happy by bringing a smile of joy to their face when they receive it. Happiness really is contagious, and by sending a thank you note to a person, it brings them joy by feeling appreciated and special, and in return, it makes the sender happy to have created such a positive effect on that person’s life. By writing thank you notes, it shows recognition of the thoughtful act to the receiver, and can brighten the rest of their day by just doing something as simple as writing a thank you note. I can see how you mention that writing thank you notes can relieve stress by allowing yourself to focus on positive things during the day. On the receiving side of the spectrum, I know for myself that when I receive a thank you note in the mail, or hand delivered, I feel happy knowing that I was able to impact a person enough for them to write me a thank you card, and it also makes me feel great throughout the rest of the day feeling appreciated. On the sending side of the equation, when I write thank you notes, it helps me think of positive things to be grateful for in my life, or even that day, that I can share with another person. It sets a joyous mood for me throughout the day as well as a sense of excitement knowing that person will receive it unexpectedly and it will brighten their day, especially if they weren’t having such a good day before they received it. It’s always nice to know that there is someone out there who notices you and appreciates you enough to do a kind gesture by giving thanks. I personally have seen amazing results when I send thank you notes, not just personal but also work related. There was a time when I was interviewing for my first job, and I wanted to make a great first impression. I thought to myself, “How I could make myself stand out from all of the other applicants?” I decided to write a thank you card to my potential boss and hand it to him when the interview was over. Needless to say, he was so impressed by this gesture that I was immediately called back for a second interview, even though I didn’t have any work experience at the time. I believe in creating positive karma by treating others how you would want to be treated, and by sending positivity to another person, it will come back around to me. Thank you notes are a perfect example of doing something simple, but yet having such a powerful impact. Thank you for sharing this technique, and I look forward to learning more of your insights by reading your book, The Three Points of Contact. :)
-Lisa
Greg
May 18, 2015Thanks LIsa and what a wonderful post!
The hand written thank you note after an interview as an amazing tip. This is a great technique in all situations. Good luck with your business and I look forward to watching you thrive! The world is yours!
Your motivation and energy is contagious.
Talk to you soon ~
Greg
Amanda Frank
May 17, 2015Greg,
I have to say I really enjoyed reading this. I don’t feel like I get to say thank you enough like I need to. I wanted to say thank you for your support during your class. Having 2 young kids with a newborn and going to school isn’t easy, but you made it so motivating and inspiring with each assignment or extra credit task given. The assignment I enjoyed the most was watching the Eric Thomas video. It made me feel like I was ready to run at 200 mph at anything. I also enjoyed watching your video after your race. I couldn’t believe you battled stage 4 cancer and running a marathon. THAT was inspiring. I am looking forward to read your book and learn anymore from you that I can. Thank you for your commitment to the class while being so far away and busy. I definitely appreciate it. I wish you luck in your future.
Sincerely,
Amanda Frank
Greg
May 18, 2015Thanks Amanda,
Glad you enjoyed Eric’s video. I see you are on my e-mail list and the next 36 months is going to be so exciting. I’m glad you will be part of the team. Have a Great Day and your energy and optimism is so obvious in your conversational tone and rate! Go Get Em!
Cheers
Greg
Carrie Bailey
May 17, 2015Mr. Cheek,
I just wanted to say that I am amazed by your positive attitude. You have overcome a great deal and are so optimistic. I have nothing but positive things to say about you and your teaching. You have definitely changed the way that I look at things. I liked the idea that you suggested about everyday writing three things that you are thankful for and then reading them after a week or so. I am definitely going to do this. Sometimes it is easy to forget all of our blessings and that is a good reminder. I also like the thank you cards. I think it would be really nice to have someone give me a thank you card, even for the smallest gesture. I would like to make other’s feel that way! You have been my favorite teacher in the year and a half that I have been a student. Best of luck to you in all your future endeavors.
As Always,
Carrie Bailey
Greg
May 18, 2015Thanks Carrie,
You are an amazing writer, I always look forward to reading your posts on the class site! Maintain that positive energy and the Three Points of Contact and the Sky is the limit for you!
Cheers
Greg
Aric Lonchar
May 17, 2015Professor,
I want to say thank you in regards to my personal development in understanding others! We spoke on the phone about personal goals that I had about becoming an officer in the Marine Corps. Because of that conversation I have new expectations in myself and the development of my career. This class was an amazing experience and wish my others would follow your format. Thank you for the encouragement. Farewell and Following Seas!
Aric
Greg
May 18, 2015Aric,
I have a wonderful piece in my book, Three Points of Contact about the attributes of service members, This is you! You have All the attributes I’m here to assist in anyway to get you to Officer Candidate School! You are THE TOP 1%.
Thanks
Greg
Greg
May 18, 2015A snippet from my book for you Aric:
Ductus Exemplo
I’m not scared of very much. I’ve been hit by lightning and been in the Marine Corps for four years.
Lee Trevino
I’ve served in the military since I was eighteen years old, in every position from garrison to combat. I’ve taught college classes to military personnel for nearly two decades. I’ve had the honor of spending a significant amount of time with every branch of the service in varied situations.
I see the commitment and dedication of our sons and daughters in uniform, family members, and Department of Defense civilians. The classes are always packed with insurmountable professionalism! These individuals lead by example in their actions. I’ve never seen a group of students so eager to learn. Many of the students came into the military to serve and they are not all Marines, but they also live the Ductus Exemplo lifestyle and attitude. Our service members will always have my heart, and they make teaching seem like a vacation. This is my love and passion—teaching, coaching, and mentoring.
All the branches of the service are significant and absolutely amazing in what they do.
I never served in the Marine Corps, but there’s an obvious difference between a Marine and anybody else (and not just military, but civilians, too). Ductus Exemplo means lead by example. It doesn’t matter if I see a Marine in my college classroom, in a department store, in combat, in the airport, in garrison maneuvers, or in church…Marines lead by example. The Marine creed is semper fidelis, meaning always faithful—and that’s about as trustworthy as you can get. I’ve never lived Ductus Exemplo, but I do know this: For my last thirty-five years of working with the military, when I see a service member, that is somebody I know I can trust.
Semper Fi
Greg
Crystal Camonte
May 17, 2015Professor,
I really wanted to take this opportunity to say “Thank You.” After hearing so many great things from students who have previously taken your course I was excited to enroll. Little did I know how much of a life changing, eye opening class would this be to my life. You are truly an inspiration, your class has really encouraged me to take control of my life again, opened my eyes to new endeavors, and given me the confidence to take on the world as I step out into it each day with a plan to be better. I think because life is so hectic and we are busy trying to recuperate from the beatings of the day/week many of us forgot about the little things, easy things like “thank you” or even confidence to accomplish our daily tasks. Your class was very encouraging, inspiring, supportive and overall very informative. Before this class I have to say that I was quite lost, and being 24 lost is something you don’t really want to be. You make excuses for why this is not done, why you can’t do that and just add on to the stress. With your class and yourself I have began to transition to a new lifestyle of positivity, confidence, wholeness, and the drive to overcome obstacles. I love all the videos that you had shared, all the discussions that required us as a class to become personal and most of all everyones support and yours. Thank you again Professor for everything you have done for all of us. You are definitely making a big change in the world!
Greg
May 18, 2015Crystal,
The SKY is the LIMIT for you. Your insight and interaction with the other 50 students was invaluable. I see you joined the e-mail list and it’s great to have you as part of the team.
Seize the Day and maintain that 3 Points of Contact!
Cheers
Greg
Laken Gasper
May 18, 2015Greg,
I just want to say what an awesome article you wrote . Saying Thank you really does go along way. So, i’d like to say a BIG THANK YOU to you !!! I have loved this class and it has helped my communicate better with husband, I am forever grateful to you !!
Greg
May 18, 2015Thanks Laken!
You are an amazing student ~
Cheers
Greg
Steve Brown
May 19, 2015Spot on Greg. Vielen Dank.
Let me know who you’re in DC. Would love to get together.
Best,
Steve
Greg
May 19, 2015Steve,
Ihr Willkommens sehr!
I will post my speaking schedule on my e-mail opt in for all the subscribers. We will get together for sure! Thanks for the support and see you soon!
bis bald,
Greg
Trayvon Watson
May 19, 2015Professor,
Thanks for showing me this link. It is a great article that helps me realize how important it is to stay positive each day. There are so many ways we can do that in our communication, and this is a great example of that. Thank you also for being a great professor. This class has taught me so much about myself. I would have never guessed that I would learn as much about myself as I have about communicating.
Thanks for everything,
Trayvon
Greg
May 20, 2015Trayvon! Big Ten Football will not be the same with you there! Illinois for 2 years and then graduate and the league. Make sure your new teammates get the Three Points of Contact! You are the BOSS! Stay Focused and keep your BBM close to you! Make sure you look up BBM in the book!
Go Get Em!
Greg
TAMMY DOMINGUES
May 19, 2015Mr. Cheek,
I have never been on a blog before (I am not much of a computer person), but I am very happy to have yours be the first. I found that what you had to say was so uplifting and inspiring, honestly, I had never really thought of “thank you” on a personal level because I work as a cashier I mundanely say thank you about 500 times a day and it drowns out the true rewarding aspect of it. But your suggestion of the hand written thank you is so gratifying, it truly makes my heart joyful knowing that I brought a smile to someone’s face because I wanted them to know that they are appreciated. This was a wonderful idea and a tradition well worth keeping. I am a Christian by faith and I am always thanking God for provisions, there are people in this world that have far less, and I also realize now that for even the little things in life from someone, a funny joke, a meal cooked, an offered jacked when it is chilly, everything deserves a thank you and to see it written, even a little note given to them will warm our hearts and brighten our day. Smiling is definitely good for our health and we all may just live a little longer for it. Thanks again Mr. Cheek for the great blog.
Greg
May 20, 2015Sky is the limit Tammy! Follow the 3 Points of Contact and you will be UNSTOPABLE!
And….Thanks ~ you are Awesome!
Greg
Lorenza Williams
May 20, 2015Thank yyouso much first for being so patient and understating verus some people, I also appreciate you teaching and sharing on the note it is barely ever people now a days say thank u in glad you shared.
Greg
May 20, 2015Thanks Lorenza,
Follow the tips in the book and you will reach every goal your set! This book is GRINDING at the Graduate and Phd level! Go get em’
Greg
Melanie
August 2, 2015Very nice, Greg. I find that I miss anything hand-written these days. There’s just something so special in it. Pretty ironic that I just purchased a box of blank greeting cards prior to reading your blog. The confirmation makes me smile.
Mel-
Greg Cheek Speaks » Thank Yourself– Videos 1 & 2
July 14, 2016[…] all about giving thanks. I’ve written about it here on my blog before when I talked about writing thank you cards. Incredible things happen when you say “thank you” to others and I’m living […]
Kimberly George
March 25, 2017Hello Mr. Cheek,
I love this blog. I too believe that beautiful handwritten notes are priceless. I started using thank you notes at work recently. I recognized the need for some positive reinforcement of my gratitude. It seemed as though a verbal thank you was not as well received. I started with a few people that seemed discontent at work, just a simple “thank you for your hard work”, and “you are valued at work”. This has changed the morale at work by leaps and bounds. Everyone feels appreciated and are working so well as a team now.
Thank You, Mr Cheek.
Kimberly G.
Connie Cosbey
March 25, 2017Good Morning Mr. Cheek,
Thank you for guiding me to this article. I love to give and receive handwritten thank you notes. Thank you notes were something that we practiced daily in my previous job. We were required as part of good business practices to send handwritten thank you notes to all new customers that we assisted. It seemed to always be met with enthusiasm by the customer as the next time I would see the customer I would hear how much they enjoyed receiving my note. I use to send a lot of handwritten thank you notes to friends and family but over the years have gotten away from it instead sending an email or text. This article has reminded me to express my gratitude to my family and friends with handwritten notes there really is just no substitution for them.
Thank you again,
Connie
Cheryl B
March 26, 2017That’s a great article, I agree a little goes a long way even if it’s just a simple thank you or a smile. It can brighten up someone’s day. I try to do a good deed at least once a day. It does make me happy that I have made a difference in someone day . Thanks again for sharing.
Jozef Zygaczenko
March 26, 2017What a great post! I rarely send written cards by snail mail, but recently sent a hand written card to a friend who moved to LA to start a new job. I simply wanted to say congrats on the new job and that I would miss working with her. As soon as I licked the envelope, put on a stamp, and dropped it in the mailbox I felt amazing. Better yet, she sent me a text message once she received the card in the mail and was so thankful and overjoyed that I took the time to send her a note. This post is a great reminder that doing small things to thank others makes you feel great!
Robert Theriot
March 26, 2017Mr. Cheek,
Just wanted to say thank you for sharing this article, its a great read . I think its amazing that by taking five minutes out of our day we make some one feel extremely happy and appreciated. And at the same time brighten your day as we think about their gift bringing us joy.
Thanks
Robert
Stephanie Gray
March 27, 2017Greg,
I really enjoyed reading this. Sometimes I say thank you out of habit, but I can see how writing some genuine words from the heart in a card or on paper could really change someone’s day. I can think of several people I would like to do this for.
r/s
Steph
Nathan Brown
March 27, 2017Mr. Cheek,
Thank you for sharing a link to your article. You’re a great writer, and your articulation draws readers in. I enjoyed reading your article, It reminds me of the importance of leaving a personal touch in an ever changing digital age. It’s often easy to write a plain, stale, sort of machine like email, or typed document and send it on it’s way. But the rarity of hand written thank you notes can change and entire perspective. Sending a thank you note to an interviewer may result in you getting the job over other candidates. Thank you for the great read, Sir.
-Nathan.
Ernesto Gamboa
March 28, 2017Mr. Cheek, I know the semester has just started, but you really are an inspiration to me. The information you give us and the videos you post are just such great motivators. I found myself wasting a lot of my days bitter and not enjoying life. The small moments in life that become huge chapters and stories that we can share. Thank you again for inspiring me. I am doing it! Whatever it is that I should be, or could be, or would be doing. Im doing it. Thank you.
Meagan Lavoie
March 28, 2017Mr. Cheek,
I think this article is fantastic. I love sending handwritten notes and letters. I feel that a handwritten note can be so heartfelt and a keepsake. Even a few simple handwritten words to express your gratitude can be meaningful to someone. Thank you for sharing!
Jeremy Bledsoe
March 29, 2017Mr. Cheek,
When I began taking your online course at Barstow Community College, I thought to myself, how can a speech class be taken online? Once the class started, I realized that communication through text is still….speech and understood how the class words. I did not realize I was in for such a great treat with an instructor/professor who has such enthusiasm for his course. In your welcome letter to the class you wrote, “I believe this course is life changing”. I initially thought to myself, sure, I have heard this before. Boy, was I wrong! I allowed my negative self-talk and perception take control of how I felt about your statement and this course. This is not just another college course! I have taken leadership courses in the past that have proven to be outstanding and have provided me with the knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed as a supervisor. This course is another feather in my cap to ensure I can effectively communicate to achieve an overall greater result (win-win). Although I am only in the second week of the course, I can tell I will benefit even more by the end of the course and I will be “Unstoppable”!
I want to thank you for opening my eyes to positive self-talk and the life changing way you instruct your course!
Now on to my Bulletin Board Material and take this bull known as life by the horns and accomplish my goals!