What I Learned from Mr. Thank You – John Israel’s Interview | Buffini
Expressing gratitude can transform your life, both personally and professionally. On a recent episode of “It’s a Good Life”, bestselling author John Israel shared the power of gratitude and told Brian Buffini how his Mr. Thank You Project has become a global movement that inspires millions of people around the world and builds strong professional relationships. Here are some of the main takeaways:
The phenomenal power of a handwritten note
After a pivotal moment when he was confronted about his own ungrateful attitude, John vowed to change and committed to writing five thank you notes every single day for 365 days in a row. He knew how to express gratitude, so he implemented a few rules to keep consistent:
- The notes had to be handwritten, no texts or videos.
- Every day reset at zero; if he skipped a day, he couldn’t do 10 the next day.
- He could write a maximum of three cards per person.
- He had to donate $1000 to charity if he missed a day.
The key elements of an amazing personal note
According to John, there are three ABCs when it comes to writing a legendary thank you note: attitude, behavior and challenges. Attitude is all about identifying and appreciating the character qualities of the person you want to thank. What do you know about them and how can you show them that you value those qualities? Are they generous, patient or trusting, for example?
B stands for behavior. How has this person acted? Have they done something for you that has maybe been unacknowledged or underappreciated? Finally, C is about the challenges that this person has overcome. What do they deal with in their own life while still showing up for you? If you want a thank you note to make a real and lasting impact, take the ABCs into account every time!
The benefits of a giver’s mentality
In today’s challenging marketplace, you need to stand out from the competition. When you express gratitude to someone, you begin to build trust and the relationship naturally deepens. The connection is no longer simply transactional, it becomes far stronger. The practice of consistently expressing gratitude through a note, a gift, or simply your time and attention will help you to stand head and shoulders above the rest, improve relationships and build a business that lasts the test of time.
To learn more about the incredible power of gratitude, listen to the latest episode of “It’s a Good Life.”
