10 Ways To Say “Thank You” To Your Mentor

Do you know of a more seasoned counselor who has helped you on your journey?  Perhaps she has been generous with her time or put you in touch with a key player in your community or shared a terrific resource with you.  That is the very person that you do not want to forget to thank.

Here are 10 ways to say “thank you” in a memorable way:

1. Send a handwritten “thank you” note.  Remember what you were taught in 3rd grade? A thank you note has three parts. (1) Name the gift.  (2) Say what you like about it. And, (3) explain how you will use it / the difference it will make.
2. Send a small gift.  A book, flowers, home-baked goods, an ITunes gift card, a candle, etc.
3. Publicly acknowledge her generosity. Should you have an opportunity to be in front of a group of peers or chairing a networking meeting, take a moment to thank her for their gift of time, useful information, etc.
4. Send her a referral.
5. Donate to her favorite charity.
6. Ask how you can help.  You might offer to run an errand for her, help set up a room for her next lecture, etc.  Busy people always need additional hands and additional help. Make yourself useful.
7. Share your network with her.  Yours may not be as large as hers, but it is a different network.  Yours may include a key player that she needs to meet.
8. Share what you know. It may be professional knowledge.  Or, it may be personal knowledge . . . a dog training tip, a great weekend destination, or even a family recipe. 
   
9. Take her out to lunch.  We all have to eat.
10. Say “thank you” again.  Weeks later . . . . It’s really nice to hear.

So . . . who is it that you need to thank and how are you going to say it?  Got any memorable ideas to share?