by Lynne Richardson, Dean, UMW College of Business
It’s February and our minds turn to thoughts of love. I’d ask that you extend your thoughts to appreciation too. In a month where we tell our loved ones how we feel about them, what about doing this in the workplace too? Maybe we don’t tell people we love them, but we can certainly tell them how much we value them.
About 12 years ago as my Lenten discipline I chose to write handwritten notes to 40 people who had positively impacted my life. These folks ranged from my Girl Scout leader from 2nd to 12th grade to mentors at different stages of my life to family members. It was a motley crew! While many of them responded either by writing back, emailing or calling me to share how they loved receiving the letter, the joy I found in actually penning for them their worth to my life was incalculable.
So I challenge you this month to think about people who have had amazing impacts on your life, whether in small or large ways. Get some notecards and spend a few minutes a day telling your family, friends AND coworkers how much they mean to you. Be specific. Tell them exactly why you value having them in your life. While they will love knowing your sentiments, doing this will make you happy. You may enjoy this so much that you make this a regular activity. Being appreciative of others is worthy goal! And if you choose to take this challenge, let me know how it made both you AND those to whom you wrote feel.
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