Can I tell you a secret?

I have a tool that has helped me make deeper connections and create meaningful relationships throughout my life. We may have been given this tool as children, but it is often lost in adulthood. The least it can do is result in a positive interactionand at best, it can build bridges.

Did I mention it's free and anyone can use it? Any guesses?

Here's another hint: It's one of the most important phrases we can use in our everyday vocabulary. It's simple yet so powerful.

Are you ready to hear what my favorite tool is? thank you.

That's right. thank you. Two simple words.

thank you!

It is not a complicated formula. It is often left out when we are busy and chaotic life. I'm guilty of getting caught up in the whirlwind of calls, texts, emails and meetings I have every day. In a world where so many things are pulling us in so many different directions, I try to remind myself that life is about the people we meet along the way and all we can do is try our best to make life a little more easy. for everyone.

Expressing gratitude in the form of a “thank you” does just that.

Related: How a simple 'Thank you' can have a huge impact on business

Being from Texas, I was always taught to say “yes ma'am”, “no sir”, “please” and, you guessed it, “thank you”. I definitely didn't fully understand the importance of saying it as a kid, but I definitely learned to say it after someone gave me an extra scoop of ice cream! I knew it was a polite phrase, but as I matured, I realized that saying thank you is much more powerful if you say it with true gratitude

Throughout my career, I feel like I've really learned the importance of gratitude and respect in the workplace.

We sometimes throw one pity party (some of us might even bring balloons and cake) when we feel underappreciated. We can expect others to know this. But guess what? People can't read minds yet. If we expect something, we also need to look inward and realize that we may not give recognition or praise to others.

Think to yourself – how do you feel when someone says thank you? How do you feel when they don't? I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you feel better when you feel gratitude and ASSESSMENT. In fact, I know you do because psychology (SMU psychology major here) says you do.

Saying thank you builds strong relationships.

It encourages a positive environment.

It increases motivation.

It improves self-esteem.

It creates a sense of fulfillment.

You get the picture. The list can go on with as many words as I can write. It's simple – people want to feel appreciated – we all do!

Are you reading this article? thank you No, really, thank you

Related: Handwritten thank you notes are more important than ever. Here's why.

Let's dive deeper.

Saying thank you is not just about politeness; it's about RELATED. It's about recognizing the humanity in every person we encounter. It's about building bridges in a world that feels divided.

Gratitude is a universal language that everyone understands. She talks a lot. So let's turn up the volume.

My father (my hero) once told me, “Rogers, never underestimate the power of true gratitude.” And boy, was he right. This mantra has been my guiding star on my journey in real estate, finance and life. I've seen deals close not because of numbers, but because of relationships built on mutual respect and appreciation. I've witnessed team members go the extra mile, not for the paycheck, but because they felt valued and accepted.

Related: Why gratitude makes leaders more effective

Thank yourself

Here's the kicker – it's not just about thanking others. That's right. From time to time, you are allowed to thank yourself for your efforts, persistence and perseverance. This is a new concept for me.

I am writing this as someone new to this idea. It's definitely a work in progress for me. But to show you how committed I am, I am writing these thoughts and sharing them with you. Did I pat myself on the back? Maybe.

Once I became a father daughter (the best father ever), it put so much into perspective. If we want our future leaders to believe in themselves and take the time to stop and smell the roses, maybe we can too?

i know It's weird to think about and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. But maybe it looks like, “Thank you for getting through that difficult day” or “Thank you for staying true to your values.” This mindset is transformative.

So what's the takeaway here? If I haven't done it enough at home, do it ACKNOWLEDGMENT your daily jam. It costs nothing, but it pays dividends in ways you can't even begin to quantify. Live your life with sincerity, whether you're thanking a barista for your morning coffee, a colleague for their support, or yourself for showing up.

Let's start a gratitude revolution. Let's say thank you as familiar as hello and goodbye. Let's spread kindness and watch the world improve, thank you one at a time.

Thanks for reading. Thank you for being you. And thank you for making a difference.

Stay grateful, my friends.

thank you