The evidence continues to mount that gratefulness does a heart good.

You never know just how big an impact a simple act of appreciation can have on someone who’s touched your life in some way. The effect can be anything from lifting their spirits on a dull day to inspiring them to great accomplishments in their careers. Check out how this South Dakota journalist was inspired by the gratitude of his readers.

Gratitude Goodies met the folks from Charleston Tea Plantation at the AmericasMart down in Atlanta.  They had a temporary booth with other quality food vendors.

Gratitude Goodies likes to partner with and carry products that are American made that support small business entrepreneurs .  This is certainly one of those companies.  Next time you order from Gratitude Goodies ask for Charleston Teas in your basket.  You’ll be glad you did.

Gratitude Goodies provides a meaningful way to say thank you to small and corporate business.  We make gift baskets that taste yummy.  Order yours today.

Visit us on line at www.gratitudegoodies.com or call at 770-886-9598

Last week has flown by once again, and I find myself amazed at how quickly life speeds
by. It is already mid-September, fall is upon us, and all those wonderful crisp, cool, days.

Here at Gratitude Goodies, we are preparing for another fall, and another holiday season.
Halloween and Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, but we are preparing so that,
however quickly the coming weeks fly, you will have at least one thing off your plate.

We would like to encourage you to submit your orders for your autumn and
Thanksgiving gifts of gratitude early, and we know that scrolling through our 2011 catalogue is
all it will take to convince you. We have chocolate and nut tins by the pound, truffles, mouth-
watering almond, espresso, and peppermint bark. We have fruit and cheese, and hot cocoa with
gourmet marshmallows. (My mouth is watering just describing this to you.) We have tea, and
custom-molded chocolates, fresh baked bread, and candied apples. Even better: we have gift
baskets, pre-arranged and custom-made, that combine all of the delightful goodies into lovely
packages that wholly and completely express your thankfulness.

We would love to start wrapping up that gift to your new client, your invaluable
employees, your partner – whoever it is you need to say “thank you” to in a lasting, memorable
way.

And, we would like to thank you for stopping by.

At Gratitude Goodies we continually look for stories like this to remind us why we do what we do.  If you have a story like this or after reading this story are moved to say thank you to someone, would you share it with us here?  We’d be grateful.

Thanks’ for an employee’s efforts can pay big dividends

Harvey Mackay On business

Published 12:40 a.m., Sunday, August 28, 2011

A university professor began reflecting on the people who had a positive impact on his life. In particular, he remembered a schoolteacher who had gone out of her way to instill in him a love of poetry. He hadn’t seen or spoken to her in many years, but he found her address and sent her a letter of thanks. A short time later, he received this reply:

“My dear Willie, I cannot tell you how much your note meant to me. I am in my 80s, living alone in a small room, cooking my own meals, lonely and, like the last leaf of autumn, lingering behind. You will be interested to know that I taught school for 50 years, and yours is the first note of appreciation I ever received. It came on a blue-cold morning, and it cheered me as nothing has in many years.”

The teacher’s note brought the professor to tears — and then he began searching for others who’d shaped his life, just to say thanks.

If only more people held onto gratitude the way they hold a grudge!

None of us got to where we are alone. Whether the assistance we received was obvious or subtle, acknowledging someone’s help is a big part of understanding the importance of saying thank you.

It’s more than just good manners. Saying thank you — and meaning it — is never a bad idea. It appeals to a basic human need to be appreciated. It sets the stage for the next pleasant encounter. And it keeps in perspective the importance of receiving and giving help.

Retail giant Sam Walton wrote 10 rules for success, and the Wal-Mart founder didn’t mince words when it came to being thankful. The fifth of Walton’s rules is, “Appreciate everything your associates do for the business.”

I wish I could convince every business owner and manager to adopt that attitude. If you have hired well and provided the necessary tools that allow your staff to perform their jobs, and they have achieved accordingly, the next logical step is to acknowledge their efforts.

The cost of praising someone is nil, but a recent study has found that the payoff can be huge. Employees want to be seen as competent, hardworking members of the team. Good managers want satisfied, motivated and productive staff members. What better motivator than thanking employees for their contributions to the company’s success?

A Personnel Today survey of 350 human resources professionals found that the greatest factor in workplace productivity is a positive environment in which employees feel appreciated. According to the survey, two-thirds of the respondents said they felt a lot more productive when they received recognition for their work, while the remainder said they felt a little more productive.

Just feeling productive can be motivating in itself. When workers don’t feel productive, frustration sets in, according to 84 percent of the survey respondents. Here’s a startling result: 20 percent said they felt angry or depressed when they weren’t able to work as hard as they could.

How to praise effectively? Try these ideas:

• Be sincere. Give praise only where it is due. If the employee feels the praise isn’t genuine, it could have a negative effect.

• Give public praise. The goal is to encourage employees to keep up the good work, while simultaneously encouraging others to put out greater effort. Praising in public raises general morale.

• Be specific in your praise. Identify exactly what the employee worked on and what he or she accomplished. Don’t just say, “Well done, Maggie.”

• Provide some lasting recognition. Consider a letter in the employee’s file or a simple celebration for the department that overcame a tough challenge. Appreciation is not a one-shot event. It needs to be ongoing.

A smart manager will establish a culture of gratitude. Expand the appreciative attitude to suppliers, vendors, delivery people and, of course, customers.

All links along the chain are essential to your success. It’s so easy to ignore the person who delivers office supplies, the tech who unfroze your computer or the customer who referred you to a great new account. Big mistake. They all deserve acknowledgement, especially if you want to preserve the relationship.

And while you’re at it, don’t forget your favorite teacher.

Mackay’s Moral: An attitude of gratitude should have wide latitude.

Harvey Mackay can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com, by emailing harvey mackay.com or by writing him at MackayMitchell Envelope Co., 2100 Elm St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.
Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Thanks-for-an-employee-s-efforts-can-pay-big-2144623.php#ixzz1WNd5iPX0

Behold, Gratitude Goodies Chocolate Almond Bark.  Don’t worry, chocolate barks come in a variety of flavor combinations.  Starting at $32.00 choose, Milk/Dark/White chocolate and nearly anything you can think of on top like almonds, cashews, pecans, peppermint, cranberries, dried fruit, all displayed in an elegant box with a satin ribbon.  Best of all you can customize your chocolate bark with a chocolate business card on top.  What could be better?  All we need is a jpg file 300 dpi or higher.  Allow us time to get your artwork set up and you’ll be on your way to a great presentation and positive gift impression.  Best of all it’s chocolate! We use Belgium chocolate made in small batches locally.  Each bark is hand made with toppings added to your unique flavor selections.

Gratitude Goodies provides a meaningful way to say thank you to small and corporate businesses.  We make YOU look good to your clients.  We strive to custom build baskets and tins and barks that have your unique personality in them and that will convey the message you wish to communicate.

Remember the holidays are coming fast.  Gratitude Goodies is already experiencing holiday volume and pre ordering.

www.gratitudegoodies.com, 770-886-9598

When is the best time to order for the holidays?  NOW

Do we deliver?  YES

Do we ship out of state?   YES

Do we take all major credit cards?  YES, including Amex

Gratitude Goodies serves a variety of business.  Who do you know that are in these industries.  Tell them about us.  We’re grateful.

Healthcare entities i.e. Doctors Offices, Specialists, Medical Support Companies like Diagnostic Centers, Medical IT Companies, Staffing Companies, Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, Financial companies, CPA’s, Dentists, Pest Control, Senior Health Care and Senior Assisted Living Facilities, Home Health Care Companies, Small Businesses in any field like, Auto Shops, Hair Dressers, Ink and Toner Specialists, Construction Companies, Churches, Vet offices, Hospitals Women Centers, Print Shops, Massage Therapists, Law Offices, Security Companies, Hospice Companies, Insurance Companies virtually any company that says thank you, appreciates their clients, coworkers, or enjoys giving gifts for incentive’s, holidays, or wishes to express gratitude to others.

www.gratitudegoodies.com

770-886-9598

Behold the Chocolate Caramel Apple.  In photo: Caramel, white chocolate, cranberries, pistachios, w/dark chocolate drizzles.  Other options include but NOT limited to, MnM’s, salted pecans, crushed Oreo’s, marshmallows, jimmies, crushed peppermint, almonds, you name it.

It all starts out with a granny smith apple, fresh, juicy, tart and the perfect canvas for caramel, chocolate, either white, milk or dark with opposite chocolate drizzles, then for the encore add your favorite toppings in a limitless variety all for $9.95 and you have the perfect gift.  This makes a great gift for an individual or some clients use three to share among a group or for an office of 10 agents or staff to share.  Either way you’re the one they’ll remember!

Gratitude Goodies provides a meaningful way to say thank you to small and corporate businesses.  We make YOU look good to your clients.  We strive to custom build baskets that have your unique personality in them and that will convey the message you wish to communicate.  We offer great products at a fair price.

Remember the holidays coming fast.  Gratitude Goodies is already experiencing holiday volume and pre ordering.  Call us today to set up your gift giving needs.  www.gratitudegoodies.com, 770-886-9598.

When is the best time to order for the holidays?  NOW

Do we deliver?  YES

Do we ship out of state?   YES

Do we take all major credit cards?  YES, including Amex

Who can Gratitude Goodies help?

Healthcare entities i.e. Doctors Offices, Specialists, Medical Support Companies like Diagnostic Centers, Medical IT Companies, Staffing Companies, Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, Financial companies, CPA’s, Dentists, Pest Control, Senior Health Care and Senior Assisted Living Facilities, Home Health Care Companies, Small Businesses in any field like, Auto Shops, Hair Dressers, Ink and Toner Specialists, Construction Companies, Churches, Vet offices, Hospitals Women Centers, Print Shops, Massage Therapists, Law Offices, Security Companies, Hospice Companies, Insurance Companies virtually any company that says thank you, appreciates their clients, coworkers, or enjoys giving gifts for incentive’s, holidays, or wishes to express gratitude to others.

www.gratitudegoodies.com

770-886-9598

F is for Focus – Like the lens of a camera we can control what we zoom in on. We can activate what is called the RAS or the (reticular activating system) portion of our brain to focus on anything we want.  Let’s play with this a little bit.  Right now I want you to stop feeling your shoes.  Isn’t it funny, until I mentioned to stop feeling your shoes you really weren’t aware of your shoes at all.  I bet as long as I keep telling you to stop feeling your shoes you’ll keep feeling them right? Once I move on your RAS will go back to rest and your focus will move elsewhere.  Your mind can decide what’s important and what’s not important.

Many business people set goals by utilizing their RAS.  The RAS can be activated through visualization methods, posting quotes or inspirational messages in places where you see them often, listening to tapes or reading books over and over.  I use this method myself to constantly look for opportunities to Focus Regularly On Gratitude.  Athletes visualize a successful outcome long before it happens, and businesses activate the companies RAS to meet and reach goals. Thomas Edison was a great example of how he used his RAS in striving to make light happen through a light bulb.

The author Rick Seymore of Goal Setting Success says.  “The information, data, stimuli or opportunities that you are exposed to must satisfy the question “Is it important?” before your Reticular Activating System will let you become aware of it. The key is to learn how to make your goals “important” so that you can see the opportunities that are all around you.” So let me ask this question, is using FROG in your life important?  Is saying thank you important?  Is expressing Gratitude important?  If the answer is yes then how do we do it?

You can do this by activating your RAS system to focus on gratitude by simply saying thank you to those you appreciate.  It’s something that we can do quickly and easily and has a much bigger effect than you may realize.  Another good way to do this is with chocolate. I’ll explain more about that later.  Let’s move on to the rest of the acronym in FROG.

R is for regularly – the word regularly means consistent, disciplined, routine, timely, you get the picture.  Being focused on Gratitude regularly is harder than we think. There are days when I don’t want to say thank you or express gratitude to someone but I’ll do it anyway, and when I do, I feel so much better. Doing it regularly will create a wonderful habit for a heart filled with gratitude towards life and others. When it becomes a habit, you’ll start to see thankfulness and kindness being returned to you.

O is for On – the word on is such a simple word but its meaning can be very powerful.  What would happen if we focused ON negativity? Would we get happier? What happens to you when you watch the news? Do you find yourself feeling more stressed, depressed, or angrier at the world? If we allow our RAS to focus ON the wrong thing for too long it will start to effect how we view the world, so focus On positive things!

Finally G is for Gratitude – Ah gratitude….This ancient word is full of richness and value. When expressed with an attitude of expecting nothing in return it has an amazing way of returning something of value. The value comes back in intangible and sometimes tangible ways.  It lifts the soul, values a person and  allows them to feel better about themselves. When a person feels better about who they are and feels valued, they will be more productive, creative, and loyal. 

Sam Walton says. “Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.”

The best part of a grateful heart is that it has a boomerang effect. Once you put the acronym FROG to work in your life you’ll begin to see it returned to you and you’ll see more and more opportunities to share a FROG with others.  The RAS of Gratitude will show you how you can express Gratitude to others.

William Faulkner says.  “Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: it must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all.”

In our business, Gratitude Goodies, we want to provide a meaningful way to say thank you and love sharing our message about FROG with people. We want to raise the level of how our clients value and appreciate those they serve.

It’s my hope that you can now begin to focus regularly on gratitude every time you have an opportunity.  If you’d like to get some FROGS with that acronym on them go to www.gratitudegoodies.com or call 770-886-9598.

I’m grateful for this opportunity to express the core values of Gratitude Goodies.  When you see any kind of frog shape or chocolate now I hope you’ll be prompted to say thank you. There are a lot of people that have never heard a kind expression of gratitude expressed to them.

Let’s make today a first!