A little thanks goes a long way (From Stroud News and Journal)

A little thanks goes a long way

A COUPLE of weeks ago I was asked to appear on Radio Gloucestershire for an interview with Mark Cummings called Up Close and Personal.

One of the questions he asked was which three people would I have to dinner if I could choose anyone.

I had no time to think about my answer but my first choice was Jilly Cooper.

Now that I have had longer to think about it my first choice would still be Jilly Cooper and of all the many reasons I would choose her, high on the list is that she is so good at thank-you letters.

I, too, am pretty good at thank-you letters but, unlike Jilly, it often takes me quite a while to get round to writing them.

Jilly, however, has the letter on your doormat by the next morning, often with an accompanying small gift.

And it is so heartwarming, and so very rare these days, to be thanked.

Whatever it is you have done - cooked a meal, chosen a present, written a helpful article, helped out with a chore - being thanked for it not only makes it worthwhile but it fills you with enthusiasm to do something similar in the future.

And to be thanked, in writing, for just going about your normal everyday duties, as Jilly so often bothers to do, makes life seem very well worth living indeed.

On the other hand not to be thanked after spending time, trouble or money on someone is really very disappointing and can leave you with the thought that you won't bother to go to any trouble at all for anyone ever again.

It may be old fashioned, as one of my young reporters recently suggested, but a little thanks, like praise, goes a very long way and does an tremendous amount of good.

Must rush off now and write my outstanding thank-you letters.