From the time you can remember, you were told in those growing-up years to say, “Thanks.” When someone gave you something, that was to be your response to them. When someone did something significant for you, those words were to roll off your mouth. Why is that so important? It is not just to show common courtesy. It is to show a deep-hearted, sincere appreciation for that gift or gesture.
You may think that a higher salary and company benefits are highly sought after by employees. To be honest, those items are not at the top of the list. What is at the top, then? The number one benefit, a company can offer a worker, is that of appreciation. William Thackeray says it well, when he wrote: “Next to excellence is the appreciation of it.” Doing anything you do well is extremely important, but having an appreciation of it ranks high, too.
What can be said of a worker wanting to be appreciated for his/her work, can be said of many areas of life. Your marriage is a great marriage when both partners appreciate each other. The way you treat a server at a restaurant, speaks volumes about you being a person who gives appreciative comments or not.
Appreciation is mentioned in the Holy Bible, as it relates to this in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” As you “commit your works,” you do your best to perform that duty of work, which includes your attitude and actions. When your work is pleasing to the Lord in your attitude and actions, “your plans” will be well-pleasing to both God and you.
That power of saying, “Thanks!” yields huge dividends. A little affirmation goes a long way. Spread some today!
