A new Thanksgiving tradition: “thank-you notes” in the form of Linkedin recommendations
Before Thanksgiving a few days ago, I wanted to write 100 things I’m thankful for…
but then I got caught up in checking the sales, making a pumpkin cheesecake, and shoveling the stupid snow.
Then Thanksgiving passed. Then Black Friday passed. Then Small Business Saturday came today and I found myself laying in bed browsing Linkedin.
And then I remembered I’ve been wanting to write some recommendations to some colleagues for weeks now — and inspired by the Nike online sales, I determined to just do it.
I started with one colleague, which turned into two, and soon turned into five — and then my little Grinch heart kept growing and I finally had to stop myself after writing 14 personalized Linkedin recommendations to current and past colleagues.
I guess I couldn’t stop because I felt really good and extremely grateful for the people and connections around me. After all, they’re the ones who have shaped me into the leader, teammate, designer, friend, and human that I am.
Linkedin connections may seem like a small token of gratitude, but why not show your appreciation in a way that could possibly benefit that person exponentially with every future job or connection?
I’m big on traditions and I implement one impactful tradition every year:
- 3 years ago it was donating blood every other month
- 2 years ago is was giving a note and treats to strangers visiting their deceased loved ones in cemeteries during the holidays (sounds weird, but actually really appreciated and well-received)
- last year it was Facetiming my nieces and nephews on their birthdays
…and this year — I’ve decided to start this form of Linkedin “thank-you notes” as a new tradition for the years to come.
It’s a very feasible, yet impactful, tradition that I look forward to doing every Thanksgiving now.
Happy holidays! And I hope you too can express your gratitude in ways that help others in their personal — or business lives.
*Now maybe I’ll go express gratitude to a few small businesses by way of a positive rating and review! …and then I’ll do that list of 100 things I’m thankful for…
