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Remember the last time you
received a personalized note?
Did the handwritten envelope catch your eye
and pique your interest?
received a personalized note?
Did the handwritten envelope catch your eye
and pique your interest?
It’s probably a safe bet that you opened and read that piece of mail almost immediately. Doesn’t matter who
the note is from—people are just more easily engaged by this personalized approach and level of attention.
Handwritten notes are one of the least expensive, most effective and largely ignored tools in your character
developing arsenal today. For less than a dollar and some change you can find your way to the top of someone’s
in-box and make them feel really special.
Very few people take the time to send handwritten notes because they believe its boring—especially in today’s
age of high tech (and low touch!) communication. There’s nothing new or exciting about putting pen to paper.
Writing a personal note takes a little more time and can actually bring back painful memories for some of you.
This is the stuff Mom used to make you do….UGHHH!
But this is where the simple brilliance lies. Here is a communication vehicle that doesn’t cost much, it grabs the
attention of the recipient and is incredibly underutilized. People who send personal notes are thought to be
considerate, creative, gracious, well mannered, mindful and a “cut above the rest.” Not a bad return on
stationary, a stamp and five minutes of writing!
Want to make handwritten notes one of your personal success habits? Here are five quick but powerful ideas to
get you kick started today!
#1. Have some personal note cards professionally printed and keep a stack in your bedside table. Challenge
yourself to write one note every week thanking someone for their help. Think of all the friends, family, or
neighbors who recently said or did something that you genuinely appreciate. Don’t get stuck waiting for some
monumental moment, just start looking for the little things that often go unnoticed. This forces you to tune in to all
the positive things happening in your life…an exercise in itself that will pay dividends to you and those you come
in contact with.
#2. Do you have a valuable idea (not sales pitch!) that someone needs to know about? Send out a personal
note inviting someone to breakfast or lunch and let them know you have an idea that you believe could have
value for them.
#3. How many birthday cards do you receive from people outside of your family? Sending a personal note on a
birthday communicates that you care enough to know AND remember that person’s birthday. Find a card that
reflects your personality and that you enjoy sending. Take time to write a short personal message and then
watch as you begin to light up people's lives one person at a time.
#4. Send an article or newspaper clipping to someone about an interest of theirs and attach a personal note.
Internet search tools like Google Alerts (http://www.google.com/alerts) provide an endless supply of new and
relevant information that you can quickly print and mail. Figure out what is important to others and then show
them that you care. People like to be around people who are willing to do the little things. If you do the little things
well, others will believe that you can handle the big things (family life, projects, promises) just as easily.
#5. Send something to make someone smile. A funny news story, witty cartoon or amusing personal experience
can help transform relationships and break down icy barriers, especially for those people with which you might
have lost touch. Does this stuff work all the time with all people? Nope, but very few things in life ever do.
Sending a handwritten note is one of the simplest and most underutilized tools in today’s crazy world. E Find
some time to slow down, take a deep breath, pick up pen and paper and watch the magic begin.
By Tim Wackel - Tim Wackel is one of today’s most popular business speakers who has mastered the ability to make
information entertaining, memorable and easy to understand. He combines more than 20 years of successful sales
leadership with specific client research to deliver high-impact programs that go beyond today’s best practices. http://www.
timwackel.com
the note is from—people are just more easily engaged by this personalized approach and level of attention.
Handwritten notes are one of the least expensive, most effective and largely ignored tools in your character
developing arsenal today. For less than a dollar and some change you can find your way to the top of someone’s
in-box and make them feel really special.
Very few people take the time to send handwritten notes because they believe its boring—especially in today’s
age of high tech (and low touch!) communication. There’s nothing new or exciting about putting pen to paper.
Writing a personal note takes a little more time and can actually bring back painful memories for some of you.
This is the stuff Mom used to make you do….UGHHH!
But this is where the simple brilliance lies. Here is a communication vehicle that doesn’t cost much, it grabs the
attention of the recipient and is incredibly underutilized. People who send personal notes are thought to be
considerate, creative, gracious, well mannered, mindful and a “cut above the rest.” Not a bad return on
stationary, a stamp and five minutes of writing!
Want to make handwritten notes one of your personal success habits? Here are five quick but powerful ideas to
get you kick started today!
#1. Have some personal note cards professionally printed and keep a stack in your bedside table. Challenge
yourself to write one note every week thanking someone for their help. Think of all the friends, family, or
neighbors who recently said or did something that you genuinely appreciate. Don’t get stuck waiting for some
monumental moment, just start looking for the little things that often go unnoticed. This forces you to tune in to all
the positive things happening in your life…an exercise in itself that will pay dividends to you and those you come
in contact with.
#2. Do you have a valuable idea (not sales pitch!) that someone needs to know about? Send out a personal
note inviting someone to breakfast or lunch and let them know you have an idea that you believe could have
value for them.
#3. How many birthday cards do you receive from people outside of your family? Sending a personal note on a
birthday communicates that you care enough to know AND remember that person’s birthday. Find a card that
reflects your personality and that you enjoy sending. Take time to write a short personal message and then
watch as you begin to light up people's lives one person at a time.
#4. Send an article or newspaper clipping to someone about an interest of theirs and attach a personal note.
Internet search tools like Google Alerts (http://www.google.com/alerts) provide an endless supply of new and
relevant information that you can quickly print and mail. Figure out what is important to others and then show
them that you care. People like to be around people who are willing to do the little things. If you do the little things
well, others will believe that you can handle the big things (family life, projects, promises) just as easily.
#5. Send something to make someone smile. A funny news story, witty cartoon or amusing personal experience
can help transform relationships and break down icy barriers, especially for those people with which you might
have lost touch. Does this stuff work all the time with all people? Nope, but very few things in life ever do.
Sending a handwritten note is one of the simplest and most underutilized tools in today’s crazy world. E Find
some time to slow down, take a deep breath, pick up pen and paper and watch the magic begin.
By Tim Wackel - Tim Wackel is one of today’s most popular business speakers who has mastered the ability to make
information entertaining, memorable and easy to understand. He combines more than 20 years of successful sales
leadership with specific client research to deliver high-impact programs that go beyond today’s best practices. http://www.
timwackel.com
HoustonSAHM.com's picks for stationery:
Swoozies.com - trendy, surprisingly affordable
Expressionery.com - stylish, abundant options
Crane.com - costly but stately; beautiful calling cards
Swoozies.com - trendy, surprisingly affordable
Expressionery.com - stylish, abundant options
Crane.com - costly but stately; beautiful calling cards