Show Your Gratitude

Over the past few weeks, I have felt an overwhelming rush of gratitude for the people in my life.  They are all from different backgrounds, industries and parts of the world.  And I am so thankful that they are a part of my life.  This week, I took the time to give a select group of people written affirmations and thank yous.  It was a very small gesture in comparison to what they have done for me, and I wanted simply to tell them how much I have appreciated their presence in my life.  While I thought it was a very small gesture, it turns out that it meant a lot to them.  They thanked me in person, smiled and a few even offered me a hug.

Today, as  I start looking towards the weekend, I paused on the thought that this should not be a rare occurrence.  How often do we share our gratitude with those that make our lives enjoyable?  Especially professionally? We expect thank you notes for interviews, wedding gifts, baby showers, and birthdays.  But wouldn’t it be a great thing to offer words of written gratitude to those with whom we spend so much of our time professionally?

If you have a client, creative, or even coworker that has treated you kindly, give them a written affirmation.  It doesn’t have to be elaborate or use beautiful handwriting.  But it could very well mean a lot to the recipient.  Just a few minutes of your time can mean so much to someone.  At least, that’s what I’ve been told this week.

Bravery and Fear

Bravery and fear are interesting things to study.  What makes us act bravely, or shrink in fear?  What foundational experiences make it easier to act bravely, versus live with fear?  Similarly, what makes a client and creative choose a bold color?  One that makes the product stand out on a store’s shelf, instead of blending amongst the competition?

There are plenty of quotes about bravery and fear.  They both can be larger than life, or every day little things.  While I wouldn’t label myself a particularly brave person, some of the activities and adventures in my life have caused others to label me as such.  This makes me think that one man’s fear is another man’s play.  Just as one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, so too can we embark on journeys that make others nervous because they seem too brave.

When and how do we act bravely when needed?  If a creative brings us an idea that we feel is too bold, do we let the idea exist?  Do we give it a chance to live in a state of possibility or do we kill it quickly?  How do creatives get the courage to act bravely in bringing clients bold ideas?

Personally, I believe that information and trusted relationships make those things we fear feel like play.  When we have the information we need, we’re better prepared to act.  And when we act with those whom we trust, we are more likely to take seemingly large risks because we are not acting alone.

Sometimes it’s easy to live in a state of fear.  It feels safer than taking bold actions.  Then again, some times it’s easy to accept a challenge and act bravely for the adrenaline rush. You feel a sense of freedom from the fear that previously bound you. What brave actions have you taken as a client or creative?  When did you instead accept fear?  How did you feel about the action your took?

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.

– Eleanor Roosevelt

Praise

Working with someone you really appreciate?  They may have undeniable creative talent, project management skills, the gift of gab, or spunk and personality that you crave when you’re not around them.  Celebrate them!

Give that person, agency or client a shout out when you can.  A LinkedIn recommendation.  Or a tweet that confesses how much you enjoy working with them.  Offer to write a testimonial.  Let them interview you so they can write a case study.  Find a way to give them a pat on the back.

When someone goes above and beyond, find a way to reward them.  You just may find that sharing the praise uplifts your own spirits.