A Thanksgiving Proclamation

THANKSGIVING DAY BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - A PROCLAMATION

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor - and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be – That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks – for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation – for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war –for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed – for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions – to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually – to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed – to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord – To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us – and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

President George Washington

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. May we appreciate our many blessings and never miss an opportunity to share them with others. That's Leader Business!

Simple Gestures

Friends,

I wanted to share a technique that I believe has sent shock waves through my organization. I hand write notes. Birthdays, anniversaries, babies, sympathies, and surgeries. Thank you notes for great meetings, major milestones, and special events.

The feedback has been encouraging. One employee commented that they had been working for 20 years and never received a hand-written note. Another stopped by today to tell me how appreciative he was for the note I had sent about his sick family member.

Marketing coach John Jantsch (Duct Tape Marketing) suggests these benefits from hand-written notes (albeit from a marketing perspective):

- Stand out from the crowd (nobody does this anymore and that's what makes it so powerful).
- Say, I care enough to take the time to do this.
- Can't help but write something that is personal in nature (computers stink at that).
- Make a connection with another form of communication (email, phone, web site, blog, note...you need them all).
- Have the ability to make the person who receives the note feel special.
- Will begin to receive more referrals (your clients will tell people about your unique habit).

I know how much it has meant to me to receive hand-written notes from some of my mentors. I am simply returning the favor. And for the great men and women with whom I work, it is the least I can do. I keep extra note cards in my desk drawer and more in my backpack.

And if it helps them understand how much I am willing to invest in their success, then these little notes are certainly worth the 60 seconds they take to write them. I think they are making a difference with my team. That makes it Leader Business!