Say thank you. As much as you can. Stretch to find things about which to say thank you. Those things are there. I guarantee it. I certainly know I am guilty of moving through my hours and days and not reflecting enough on what others have done for me. And certainly not thanking them enough. It is easy to think of the day as going by, as people doing what they do, and not fully being thankful of the little things others do for you.

My mom always made sure I said please and thank you. I thought it was old fashioned even thirty years ago. Maybe that's what every twelve-year old thinks about what their parents tell them. It certainly is what my own twelve year old son must think when I tell him to say please and thank you. And it's incredibly important guidance.

Look back at your calendar for last week. Did you ask someone for time to talk about something important to you? Did you schedule a meeting and invite someone who was important to the outcome of the meeting? Did you meet someone for lunch and catch up? Anyone who is taking the time to spend with you deserves even a little thank you.

Look back at your e-mail for last week. Those e-mails you got that helped you. Those e-mails you sent asking for help. Someone offering to help you or suggesting an article to read. Did you acknowledge them? Did you thank them? It may not seem like a big deal, it may not be that big a deal. And it is worth showing your appreciation that they thought about you.

Sure there are big things that jump out at you. Someone gives you a gift. An unexpected benefit to you or someone you care about. From my experience, even in these cases I forget to express my gratitude. I fall prey to the busy schedule and it escapes me to say the simple thank you.

I love getting written thank you notes. I know this seems very old fashioned, and the idea of holding a handwritten note in my hand is wonderful. There is nothing wrong with a thank you e-mail; if you want to stand out from 99% of everyone else write a thank you note by hand. I am stunned by the number of times people feel they must thank me for sending them a thank you note. Trust me, you stand out.

A leader appreciates other people as much as possible, and expresses that appreciation as often as possible. Consider how you feel when someone appreciates you. When they say "thank you" out loud. When they write you an e-mail. Or write you a handwritten note.

You have the power to share that feeling. Share that feeling with anyone who has helped you, and I guarantee it will come back to you in some sort of positive way. You will feel great, others will feel great. Just by saying thank you.