Enough is Enough

Consider for a moment the idea that "enough is enough." The concept ties tightly into the attitude of gratitude and that you have all that you need. It is being thankful for what you have and not miserable for what you don't have.

Melody Beattie said, "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."

Spend some time today being grateful for what you have and for the "performers in your circus." And as you show your gratitude this holiday season, consider giving the gift of time and not just the gifts that come in a box.

Some Syrup for Your Pancakes

The story is told that Henry Mancini's daughter Felice wanted to give her dad a special gift for his birthday. So, she wrote him a poem entitled, "Sometimes." Mr. Mancini loved the poem so much that he set the poem to music and it was first performed by The Carpenters in1971.

Sometimes not often enough
We reflect upon the good things
And those thoughts always center around those we love
And I think about those people who mean so much to me
And for so many years have made me so very happy
And I count the times I have forgotten to say “thank you”
And just how much I love them

More than "sometimes" we would should thank those around us for all that they have done for us and express how much we care about them. That is the stuff that makes the whole journey worthwhile.

Planned or Spontaneous Praise

It seems that planned praise, especially when it is an agenda item, is so much easier to execute. But, is it the most effective? Storing up recognition for the "right moment" or for when you have a scheduled meeting to take care of it can remove the opportunity to catch someone off guard and truly express your feelings of gratitude.

Don't wait for the awards banquet, don't wait for the annual review, don't wait until you are at your daughter's wedding. Take the time now to say, "Thank you, I appreciate all that you do and have noticed your fine work you have done." Write a note, stop them in the hall or pick up the phone and make a quick call. There probably is someone on your mind right now that you know you should acknowledge - don't wait, don't hesitate, tell them now. This moment in time might be when THEY need to hear your appreciation the most.

Give Time Not Just Gifts - Again

We probably have written a blog about giving the gift of time, this time of the year, for every year that we have been writing blogs. But it is a principle worth repeating over and over again.

The gift of time is probably the most prized gift that you can give your friends and family this holiday season. Ask a parent who doesn't see their children or grandchildren regularly. Ask a child who would love to play a game with their father or read a story with their mother. Ask a young couple who has been apart for an extended period of time. Time spent together is precious. Build in time together as a part of your holiday plans. The good news is that is isn't expensive and the memory of that time together will last forever.

The Big Little Things

You have probably heard the phrase, "Don't sweat the small stuff." Well, it is sometimes the small stuff that makes the difference for something or someone to go from ordinary to standing out. Consider the difference that the icing does make on the cake. How close is winning by a tenth of a second in a major competition? What impact does a simple "thank you" or "I love you" have-especially when your day has been less than perfect?

Here are a few little things that we came up with:

• Send a handwritten note to an important customer, employee or friend. Write a note on the napkin that you put in your child’s school lunch


• Bring bagels or donuts for your co-workers for no reason at all


• Help someone remove their carry on bag from the overhead bin


• Call your Mom and just say hello


• Show up to work 30 minutes early and stay 30 minutes late


• Don't just brush your teeth – floss!


• Clean the snow off of someone else's car. Someone you don't even know


• Smile


• Unload the dishwasher-even if it isn't your day (And especially if you don't know where the dishwasher is.)


• When you meet someone new, remember their name and call them by name when the opportunity arises


• Wish your friends, family, co-workers and clients a Happy Birthday


• Freshen your breath-regularly


• Volunteer for a project at work. Join a committee that doesn't have anything to do with your job.


• Put the toilet seat down, rinse the dishes off after dinner, take the dog out without being asked, clean the hair from the sink, hang the picture that has been sitting by the side of the bed for the last two months and don't squeeze the tooth paste in the middle.

Take a minute and consider what "little things" you can do that will make a difference and then do them. J. Willard Marriott said, It's the little things that make the big things possible. Only close attention to the fine details of any operation makes the operation first class.