Taking A Compliment...

"Cute shoes!"
"These...?  I got them for $20 at Payless."

"You are a great rep, thank you for running these samples over so quickly."
"It's no big deal, it's my job."

"That dress looks great on you."
"Oh my gosh, I made it...I think it hangs longer on the left side...don't look too close at the seams."

This is a challenge to all of you out there who do this, including me...  STOP IT! Let's stop devaluing ourselves and demeaning those who give us compliments by learning to graciously accept them.  Whose with me?  Let's practice now...

"Cute shoes!"
"Thank you!"
"You are a great rep, thank you for running these samples over today."
"Thank you, I appreciate hearing that."
 "That dress looks great on you."
"Thank you, I recently learned to sew and made it myself."

Another good article by Karina Bland, from the Arizona Republic...

"Regardless of why I dodge compliments, I'm sending the wrong message. I'm trying to appear humble, but, instead, it probably makes me look less confident in myself and my abilities. And here's the thing: I am a persuasive person. If I keep this up, I could actually convince people that I'm not as great as they think I am, that it was some sort of fluke that I pulled off that outfit, that meal or that story, not because I have the talent or did the work."...Karina Bland

Click on the link for the entire article:  Taking A Compliment...

Thank You Notes

What is the protocol these days on a hand written thank-you note?  Is email ok?  What if I don't like the gift? What if I thanked them in person?  My husband loves to send hand written thank-you notes and it has made an impression on people he works with as well as friends and family.  He likes to design them himself and purchase unique cards from unique shops or arts & craft fairs.

According to the article below, by LESLIE HARPOLD, "As extra motivation, I will also grudgingly tell you the hidden secret of thank-you notes: They improve the frequency and quality of the gifts you receive. People like being appreciated, and if they feel you actually notice the nice things they do for you, they’re more likely to give an encore performance."

I could be better at sending a hand written note.  I like getting them so I imagine others do too.  How about you?  Below is a nice kick-in-the-pants guide to writing a thank-you note.  Enjoy!

How To Write A Thank-You Note