Daily “I’m thinking of you” text
Episode #6 of the course Small habits that yield big results by Joe Bennett
It’s easy to get caught up in our own worlds, in the hubbub of our needs, goals, pains, and pleasures.
It’s also easy to think that the world revolves around us and that others are merely players in the theater that is our life.
Relationships are an investment. This life change is a seed you sow into those you love. The beautiful thing about the combination of good seed and good ground (those wonderful people you know) is that it quickly produces strong, beneficial results in your life and in the lives of those around you.
In my life
I love people and I love to interact with them, but sending letters, emails, texts, or calling someone just isn’t on my mind.
You know what, though? I really like to receive this kind of stuff from others, and I know others like to receive it from me. And when I’m at my best and loving others fully, I do these kinds of things. You probably do too.
I’ve found that sending a text to my wife, my mom, or a friend has been a simple way to reach out and let someone know I care.
How you do it
1. Think of a person who is important to you or someone you’d like to bring some joy to.
2. Send that person a thoughtful text that lets them know you’re thinking of them specifically. It can be as short and simple as, “Hey. I just wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you. Hope you have a great day! :)”
3. Repeat the next day with a different person (or the same, if you like)!
The benefit to you
1. You’ll notice that the people you do this with are magnetized toward you. Showing someone you care about them tends to attract that person—and others—to you. Hello charisma!
2. Taking the emphasis off of yourself and focusing your mind on someone else, even briefly, really changes your perspective. It helps you to keep an “others first” mentality, which yields lots of creativity, well-being, and joy.
3. Your relationships with others will improve!
The science
This little change engages lots of social and psychological laws. We’ll look at three of them.
First, by doing this, you’re engaging the Law of Reciprocity—when someone gives you something, you feel an obligation to give back. By giving a thoughtful text to someone, they feel happy and will also feel socially obligated to return the action.
Second, sending these thoughtful messages to others takes your brain out of self-preservation mode. It’s good to look after yourself, but living in self-preservation mode is a sure way to simply survive instead of thrive.
Last, and quite interestingly, we perceive people as what we say they are. By sending words of kindness that uplift others, we’ll begin to see those people as even more wonderful, enriching their places in our lives even further.
What you’ll learn tomorrow: Ponder a wise saying
Recommended book
“Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman
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