David J.

Pollay

Read David's bio and previous columns

June 2, 2008

Your ‘To Thank’ List

The most common list people carry with them every day is a “to do” list. It tells them how they will spend their time and what they must accomplish. In some ways you could also view a “to do” list as a scorecard: Your success is determined by how many of the items you get through.

Seventeen years ago I began to carry another list with me. It’s called my “to thank” list. I learned that my successes were not possible without help from my family, friends and colleagues. And I also realized that I counted on their friendship and love during my most trying times. So I began to carry a “to thank” list.

My “to thank” list includes two groups of people: The permanent members and the people who come in and out of my life. My family, friends and colleagues are on my permanent list: I thank them at the start of each day during my morning gratitude ritual. And I speak with them often. I cherish these people, and I would not want to live without them.

I also have a guest member list to thank. These are the individuals who may not be a permanent part of my life, but they sure are helping me now. Each week I make sure to thank these people for the role they play in my life.

My day is not complete until I have acknowledged my “to thank” list. I consider this one of my most important “to do’s” every day: When I thank the people who make my good life possible, I accomplish something very important.

Research conducted by Robert Emmons at the University of California at Davis demonstrates that we enjoy better relationships, better health and greater happiness when we increase our gratitude. And if you’re in business, The Gallup organization has found in their research that when employees receive recognition every seven days, they are more engaged and more productive.

What about your “to thank” list? Is it written down? Do you carry it with you? Can you recite it by memory?

This week make it your project and create your “to thank” list. Start by writing down all your permanent members. Then add your guest members to your list.

Who are you going to thank this week?

And if you want your colleagues, friends and family to join you on your mission, send this column along to them.

Have a great week, and let me know how it goes!

David J. Pollay is the author of “Beware of Garbage Trucks!™ - The Law of the Garbage Truck™ (www.bewareofgarbagetrucks.com).” His book, The Law of the Garbage Truck™, is due out this Fall. Mr. Pollay is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program and DVD, and an internationally sought after speaker. He is the founder and president of The Momentum Project.  

© 2008 David J. Pollay. Distributed by North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

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