About two years ago I read a book about a man who wrote “thank you” notes for 365 days in a year.  He chronicles how he did it, but also how it changed him and those around him.

It’s a challenge that I thought I’d do – and then I failed quickly.  I just didn’t have the commitment.  Interestingly, the people who received the thank you notes let me know how much they appreciated them.  And I barely got started.

I have a fear about this goal.  That I won’t have enough people to thank.  That I’ll say the same thing over and over again; or that I’ll be too shallow, or too deep.

I need to consider the following – I can thank the same person several times in the year, based on what happens.  I can keep a spreadsheet of who I send them to, and a short idea of the content.  I can be okay with tearing up a card and starting over if I don’t like what I write.

These don’t have to be a huge deal, especially if you’re doing them on a daily basis.  That’s what the author found out – sure, he sent thank you’s to his kids and employees, but also to his favorite barista at Starbucks.

So my goal is to say “thank you” 365 times over the next 365 days.