Who have you thanked lately? Who has your heartfelt gratitude and you just haven’t said it?

I read an article recently that said only 10% of those working in the United States thank someone daily. I don’t think this statistic applies to us, but it caused me to pause.

The reasons given for not thanking others are varied:

• The person being thanked might get a “big head.”
• If you thank someone, he might ask for a raise.
• Why thank someone for simply doing his job?
• I don’t require a lot of thanks. Why should I give it?

My answers are simple:

The better someone feels about themselves, the better they perform. Self-esteem earned by positive feedback and gratitude strengthens the team.

How people do their jobs can range from “as little as possible to as much as necessary” to “excellence all the time in every way.” In my book, there’s no such thing as just doing your job. Over a thousand people making hundreds to thousands of daily decisions affects our success. The more people we have pressing toward excellence, the better we are. Saying thanks inspires others to do better.

You may not need thanks, but rare is the person who does not appreciate being appreciated.

I am guilty of not expressing the high gratitude I feel. It’s in my heart and my mind. It just doesn’t always make it to my lips.

People are encouraged by gratitude. Not just colleagues, but also spouses, children, friends, and neighbors. Be someone who finds a way to express thanks and encouragement. It will help you “happen” to the world.