Letters

When is the last time you wrote someone a letter? -  not a note -  a bona fide handwritten letter?  I remember a speaker Dave Philips brought in at Arthur Andersen to talk about client service.  I used to carry around a small laminated card with some of the meeting take aways (naturally it is filed somewhere probably up in my attic).  But the summary was (1) we all need "strokes" of kindness (2) It's ok to give strokes  (3) It's ok to get/accept strokes.

So how does this relate to letters you say?   I remember his example so vividly.  He asked the question - when you get home what is the first thing you do?   The answer for most of us was get the mail out of the mailbox.  Sort through the junk mail. Find the handwritten addressed mail and the return address. Feel good when you get a letter from a friend or family member -  HENCE a "Stroke".

Now we have virtual "strokes" -  texting, voice messages, email, instant messaging, cell phone calls.  But which of these are the more powerful "strokes" - the more lasting strokes? 

Do you keep those meaningful letters?   I do.  And I bet there are a number of letters you have penned that are stored somewhere (maybe and attic) by someone else ---- Preserving your stroke.

So write a letter today to a loved one.  It can be deep or just surface level.  I Garen-tee that it will have impact.