Monday Morning Momentum™ - Your “To Thank” List ©

Monday, May 26, 2008
Click here for an introduction to Monday Morning Momentum™.

Your “To Thank” List ã

The most common list people carry with them every day is a “to do” list.  It tells them how they will spend their time, and what they must accomplish.  In some ways you could also view a “to do” list as a scorecard:  Your success is determined by how many of the items you get through.

A New List:  The “To Thank” List

Seventeen years ago I began to carry another list with me.  It’s called my “to thank” list.  I learned that my successes were not possible without help from my family, friends, and colleagues.  And I also realized that I counted on their friendship and love during my most trying times.  So I began to carry a “to thank” list.

“Permanent” Members

My “to thank” list includes two groups of people:  The “permanent members,” and the people who come in and out of my life.  My family, friends, and colleagues are on my permanent list:  I thank them at the start of each day during my morning gratitude ritual.  And I speak with them often.  I cherish these people, and I would not want to live without them.

“Guest” Members

And there is my “guest member” list to thank.  These are the individuals who may not be a permanent part of my life, but they sure are helping me now.  Each week I make sure to thank these people for the role they play in my life.

Good for your Happiness.  Good for your Business.

My day is not complete until I have acknowledged my “to thank” list.  I consider this one of my most important “to do’s” every day:  When I thank the people who make my good life possible, I accomplish something very important.

Research conducted by Robert Emmons at the University of California at Davis demonstrates that we enjoy better relationships, better health, and greater happiness when we increase our gratitude.  And if you’re in business, The Gallup organization has found in their research that when employees receive recognition every seven days, they are more engaged and more productive.

Your List

What about your “to thank” list?  Is it written down?  Do you carry it with you?  Can you recite it by memory?

This week make it your Monday Morning Momentum project and create your “to thank” list.  Start by writing down all your permanent members.  Then add your guest members to your list.

Who are you going to thank this week?

Invite Your Family, Friends, and Colleagues to Join You

And if you want your colleagues, friends, and family to join you on your Monday Morning Momentum mission, send this post along to them.

Have a great week, and let me know how it goes!

Comments

[David J. Pollay]

Thanks Lil for your post!

I hope you are having fun this week building your list. And thanks for your kind words!

Best to you,

David

[Lil]

Hi David,

Thank you for your wisdom: you put your ideas and beliefs in such practical terms. You inspire me to start my lists.
Thanks David, Lil

[David J. Pollay]

Hi Halle!

Great to hear from you! And thanks for the support! Have fun this week!

Best to you,
David

[Halle]

Thanks to you, David, for giving me continual supposrt with your words!

[David J. Pollay]

Hi Anu,

You bet! Post again with how it goes for you this week, or send me an email.

Have a great momentum week!

David

[Anu]

What a great idea. Thanks for posting it!