Have you ever thanked your business mentors? If you got off your treadmill of life and gave it some thought, who would be the people you’d thank for your professional success? And, how would this gratitude exercise benefit you?

Last week a longtime recipient of our electronic newsletter unsubscribed. Curt was one of my early business mentors. Rather than just hit my delete button, I reached out to him with this email:

Curt,

My assistant lets me know about our newsletter list and it looks like you’ve decided to move on and not receive our updates anymore.

I understand!

BUT, before I let you go…. I want you to know how much I appreciate you and what role you have played in my career.

All the way back to a short presentation for Sales and Marketing Executives’ Dallas monthly meeting in a small conference room attached to a hotel room (do you realize how odd that was?!!! I was unsure about entering that space!). But I did walk in and gave that speech to your Board of Directors.

After this presentation, you asked to sit next to me at the dinner (in a REAL hotel ball room space!) and my relationship with you and ELK* began.

Those eight years of doing training and seminars for ELK in Dallas and around the country were wonderful in terms of relationships gained, experience achieved, and career growth.

Again, many thanks. I hope all is well with you and yours.

Karen

One day later I got this response from Curt:

Hello Karen,

I wanted you to know that I asked to unsubscribe from your newsletter as my husband, Curt, passed on June 14th of last year.

Good luck,

A.C. Barker

I asked you up front, “How would this gratitude exercise benefit you?

According to Psychology Today, there are seven scientifically proven benefits of gratitude. Amy Morin writes,

1. Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.
2. Gratitude improves physical health.
3. Gratitude improves psychological health.
4. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
5. Grateful people sleep better.
6. Gratitude improves self-esteem.
7. Gratitude increases mental strength.

I also asked you to ponder for a few minutes about who has helped you along the way. Who are you grateful for?

Please tell them, before it’s too late.

*Note: ELK was a national roofing manufacturer. If you are suffering from insomnia call me and I’ll talk to you ALL about laminated asphalt shingles.

To discuss a customized Speak For Yourself® workshop or retreat on how to communicate formally, informally, and electronically – email Info@SpeakForYourself.com.

© SpeakForYourself.com/blog             © Photo by Karen Cortell Reisman 

Karen Cortell Reisman, M.S., author of 3 books and President of Speak For Yourself®, works with decision makers on how to speak with gravitas. It’s all in how you speak for yourself. Karen also speaks about her cousin, Albert Einstein, in a message about hope, resilience and brassieres.

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Karen Cortell Reisman, MS, Executive Communication Author & Speaker