Powills: Thanksgiving and The Art of Appreciation

As my life story comes to a close, in those final moments I want to be able to reflect on the footprint I left with great appreciation. While I can make no promises (I could very well be a grumpy old man at that point), I hope I leave this world saying thanks, not just in that moment, but for the span of moments that happened over my lifetime. With Thanksgiving upon us, many people use this day as a day for reflection. This is the day they use to say thank you and offer admiration and appreciation for those around them: Their family, friends and loved ones. While the art of appreciation is prevalent on that tasty Thursday, why doesn’t it last year round? Appreciation should trump everything. There are many great speakers who talk about appreciation, the power of it and its domino effect. It is suggested that one thank you can ignite tremendous work, efforts and ethics. So often, in the work place, appreciation is overlooked. Similarly, in life, appreciation is often lost. If we stopped and appreciated life, effort and work a little more, this world would be a happier place. Appreciation comes in many forms. Sometimes, a thank you is just fine. Other times, the shock value of a hand written note or a nice pat on the back can warm and drive great focus in a relationship. I recently received the nicest card I have ever received in business. It read: “Each year on my birthday I reach out to those that have made an impact on my life the past 12 months to say thank you! As I turn the big 35 this year I want to thank you for your passion, energy & leadership not only towards us but for me personally in teaching me lessons, sharing your ideas & experiences to help improve my life as President. You made the difference.” I share this, because it inspires me. It inspires me to do better, be better and give more. It completely made all the hard work, late nights and travel worth it. It was powerful. The beauty of this note is that it can be given to anyone at anytime. When you receive one, especially in a shocking moment (when you haven’t done anything magical in the recent to merit something this powerful), you are touched. Appreciation touches all of us. And sets up those dominoes, for us to do better. Each Friday, through the leadership of the President of No Limit Agency* (Chris Krug), we celebrate wins. This isn’t just about agency wins, rather the individual efforts that go into our success. I, as CEO, cannot make magic happen alone. I need the support of the people around me in order to impact our clients in the most positive way possible. When those pillars of people connect, it deserves appreciation. It deserves pause, and admiration. In 2014, I am going to try to be a better person and more appreciative. I want to hand write more notes and give them to my wife, my friends, my clients and my family. I still smile when I read back that note that I received. It warms my heart. And, I too have the ability to warm the hearts of those around me – not just on Thanksgiving, but every day. Or at the very least I can try to give others that same feeling. The art of appreciation is quite easy. It can come in the form of a thank you, a note, or a pat on the back. When it happens, it trumps everything else, from monetary moments to tough challenges. It is what makes life worth it. Today, I reflect and appreciate so many of my life supporters. Tomorrow, I will continue to feel the same way. But as the days go on, it will be important to own the easiness of appreciation and continue to appreciate.