How YOU can change people's lives by this small act of less than 10 seconds

I'm always amazed by this!

Hey hey ladies and gentlemen!

In this edition of Raw and Real, I want to speak to you how presence or absence of ONE thing literally changes the trajectory of entire life.

Let’s go.

…

I am on a call with a former employee of an author I have been following for 11+ years.

Once we are done with our work conversation, I ask him: “How was it like working with XX?”

His response:

“When I moved on from his team, he gave me a note that read:

‘Hey NAME,

Thank you for your valuable contribution. It mattered.

XX (author’s signature)’”

And then he added: “I still have that note on my desk.”

WOW.

…

There are two (very valid) reasons why all of us work:

1. For money

2. To feel valuable

Our job makes us feel our life is of value.
Our work is of value.
Our contribution matters.
To a greater organisation good.

However, when our job reduces to just money, it ironically makes us feel worthless.

This is what happens in companies when people are not acknowledged for their work.

We are paid.
We are given incentives.
We are given wonderful work.

But, something is still incomplete.

We look like human beings but feel like machines.

We give away ourselves but do not know if our contribution matters.

We solve interesting problems but lose our interest one day at a time, for no fault of ours but because perhaps no one walked up to us and said,

“Hey, you matter. You do.”

Which brings me to today’s point:

You and I - all of us should say “thank you” more often at work.

Thank you, to your colleagues.
Thank you, when they help you.
Thank you, when they do something that you admire.
Thank you, when they are kind when you need it the most.
Thank you, for them being patient when you join a call with delay.

As a matter of fact, nothing has more opportunities for “thank you” than work - because people do a lot of good work!! We just need to be observant to see.

You do not have to be the boss to be grateful.

You can be grateful where you are, to everyone who is there around you.

Let people know they matter, more often.

Because sometimes people don’t know how good they are.
Be the reason people know how good they are.

Some easy ways to do that:

1. Send “Thank you” notes on email.
   I do that whenever someone does something that to me is amazing. Just a 2-3 line note, what I love, and the fact that “you matter”.
   

2. Say thank you each time someone helps you.
   They gave a part of themselves to you. You can (and must) give a part of your acknowledgment to them.
   

3. At least one gratitude a day.
   If saying in person feels awkward, look for one good thing in people you work with. Especially the ones you dislike and who screwed up your promotion :) Look for good and you will find it even in your enemies. Look for bad and you will find the bad.
   
   You become what you look for.

There is a special power in letting people know they matter.

Be powerful today. By making others matter.

Which is what my wish is for you, my friend.

Let your friends and colleagues know they matter.
Because they do.
More than you can think :)

All the best. I’m excited for you :))

Wish you a grateful weekend. And life ahead :)

Nishtha

PS: Has anyone made you feel seen, listened to you, or thanked you, when you needed it the most? Let me know in the reply. I’d love to listen to your side of the story.

Thank you, for reading. It matters.