Monday, January 5, 2009

The Last Lecture

My friend Brenda loaned me her copy of Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture before Christmas, so I read it as we traveled. Since it has nice short chapters, I could manage it without becoming car sick. Anyway, it's quite good and has much good advice for the New Year. Mr. Pausch recently passed away from pancreatic cancer, so his book is a legacy for his family and for anyone else who wants to listen in.

Mr. Pausch was an extreme computer nerd, so I find it interesting that he praises the value of handwritten thank you notes. Since his last lecture was to college students, he directs his advice toward them. "Job interviewers and admissions officers see lots of applicants. They read tons of resumes from 'A' students with many accomplishments. But they do not see many handwritten thank-you notes. If you are a B+ student, your handwritten thank-you note will raise you at least a half-grade in the eyes of a future boss or admissions officer. You will become an 'A' to them. And because handwritten notes have gotten so rare, they will remember you." He closes the chapter with "It's just the nice thing to do."

I am so tempted to send a quick thank-you email or use a telephone call to suffice, but I know how much I appreciate a written thank-you note which comes via snail mail. I have received many treasured notes over the years (I wish I'd saved them)--many more than I've sent. I want to keep an old custom alive through the age of technology.

Thanks, Brenda, for passing your book to me. I truly enjoyed it. Uh, oh, should I send a note?

Happy Birthday to my Dad--84 years young today (or yesterday?).

1 comment:

Stephanie Brandt said...

Another new entry, so far so good! Thanks for the reminder that I need to send Christmas thank-you's :)

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!