There’s just something about a handwritten note

When I was in college (Go TIGERS!) I loved going to the campus post office to check my post office box for mail.  

And even though it’s been several, (ok many, many) years since I was a college student, I still remember my post office box number and exactly where it’s located among the rows and rows of post office boxes. 

One day last year while visiting our oldest grandson at Clemson, I took a little walk down memory lane by retracing my steps to my campus post office box. 

As a college student, I loved getting handwritten notes. They came from my Mom and Dad, my brother and sister and a few special aunts. Those notes reminded me that someone was thinking of me. Those notes let me know I mattered. 

After I graduated, bought a house and started my career, I continued to look forward to the times when among the bills and junk mail, there would be a handwritten note from someone in my mailbox at the end of my driveway.

And still today, after all these years, in the world of email and text messaging, I love the surprise of a handwritten note from someone in my mailbox.

You’ve likely read about the former Campbell’s soup CEO who sent over 30,000 handwritten notes during his career. Or other CEOs who were known for expressing their gratitude to employees by sending handwritten notes. 

Right now I’m working with a company President and a CEO at two different companies and both are terrific at sending handwritten notes. And of course their people love getting those notes!

Sending a handwritten note is a great opportunity to show people that THEY MATTER and that you care about them. Any form of gratitude you show will make a difference in someone’s life!

Because I love getting handwritten notes, I also send handwritten notes myself. Although admittedly, I could be better at sending them more frequently. 

One leader I worked with sent me a handwritten note thanking me for my handwritten note, because he couldn’t remember anyone in business ever sending him one!

Another leader, still carries in his work backpack a handwritten note he received from one of my business partners over 20 years ago!  

What about you? Do you enjoy giving and receiving handwritten notes?

If you aren't currently sending handwritten notes, begin! You'll make someone's day when they receive it from you.