The Power of a Note unit2.doc

The Power of a Note1 On my first job as sports editor for the Montpelier (Ohio) Leader Enterprise, I didnt get a lot of fan mail, so I was intrigued by a letter that was dropped on my desk one morning.2 When I opened it, I read: “A nice piece of writing on the Tigers. Keep up the good work.” It was signed by Don Wolfe, the sports editor. Because I was a teenager (being paid the grand total of 15 cents a column inch), his words couldnt have been more inspiring.1 I kept the letter in my desk drawer until it got rag-eared. Whenever I doubted I had the right stuff to be a writer2, I would reread Dons note and feel confident again.3 Later, when I got to know him, I learned that Don made a habit of writing a quick, encouraging word to people in all walks of life. “When I make others feel good about themselves,” he told me, “I feel good too.”4 Not surprisingly, he had a body of friends as big as nearby Lake Erie3. When he died last year at 75, the paper was flooded with calls and letters from people who had been recipients of his spirit-lifting words.5 Over the years, Ive tried to copy the example of Don and other friends who care enough to write uplifting comments, because I think they are on to something important. In a world too often cold and unresponsive, such notes bring warmth and reassurance. We all need a boost from time to time, and a few lines of praise have been known to turn around a day, even a life.6 Why, then, are there so few upbeat note writers? My guess is that many who shy away from the practice are too self-conscious4. Theyre afraid theyll be misunderstood, sound sentimental or insincere. Also, writing takes time; its far easier to pick up the phone.7 The drawback with phone calls, of course, is that they dont last. A note attaches more importance to our well-wishing. It is a matter of record, and our words can be read more than once, savored and treasured.58 Even though note writing may take longer, some pretty busy people do it, including George Bush. Some say he owes much of his success in politics to his ever-ready pen. How? Throughout his career he has followed up virtually every contact with a cordial responsea compliment, a line of praise or a nod of thanks.6 His notes go not only to friends and associates, but to casual acquaintances and total strangerslike the surprised person who got a warm pat on the back for lending Bush an umbrella.9 Even top corporate managers, who have mostly affected styles of leadership that can be characterized only as tough, cold and aloof, have begun to learn the lesson, and earn the benefits, of writing notes that lift people up.7 Former Ford chairman Donald Peterson, who is largely credited for turning the company round in the 1980s, made it a practice to write positive messages to associates every day.8 “Id just scribble them on a memo pad or the corner of a letter and pass them along,” he says. “The most important ten minutes of your day are those you spend doing something to boost the people who work for you.”10 “Too often,” he observed, “people we genuinely like have no idea how we feel about them. Too often we think, I havent said anything critical; why do I have to say something positive? We forget that human beings need positive reinforcementin fact, we thrive onit!”11 What does it take to write letters that lift spirits and warm hearts?9 Only a willingness to express our appreciation. The most successful practitioners include what I call the four “Ss” of note writing.12 1) They are sincere. No one wants false praise.13 2) They are usually short. If you cant say what you want to say in three sentences, youre probably straining10.14 3) They are specific. Complimenting a business colleague by telling him “good speech” is too vague; “great story about Warren Buffets investment strategy” is precise.15 4) They are spontaneous. This gives them the freshness and enthusiasm that will linger in the readers mind long afterward.16 Its difficult to be spontaneous when you have to hunt for letter-writing materials, so I keep paper, envelopes and stamps close at hand, even when I travel. Fancy stationery isnt necessary; its the thought that counts.17 So, who around you deserves a note of thanks or approval? A neighbor, your librarian, a relative, your mayor, your mate, a teacher, your doctor? You dont need to be poetic. If you need a reason, look for a milestone, the anniversary of a special event you shared, or a birthday or holiday. For the last 25 years, for example, Ive prepared an annual Christmas letter for long-distance friends, and I often add a handwritten word of thanks or congratulations. Acknowledging some success or good fortune that has happened during the year seems particularly appropriate considering the spirit of the Christmas season.18 Be generous with your praise. Superlatives like “greatest,” “smartest,” “prettiest” make us all feel good. Even if your praise is a little ahead of reality, remember that expectations are often the parents of dreams fulfilled.1119 Today I got a warm, complimentary letter from my old boss and mentor, Norman Vincent Peale. His little note to me was full of uplifting phrases, and it sent me to my typewriter to compose a few overdue letters of my own. I dont know if they will make anybody elses day, but they made mine. As my friend Don Wolfe said, making others feel good about themselves makes me feel good too.(978 words)Time Taken:_ minutes#aloof / / adj. unfriendly and deliberately not talking to other people 冷淡的，超然离群的characterize / / v. (BrE characterise)1) (formal) describe someone or something as 描述 描绘，的特征2) be characteristic of 成为 的特征column / / n.1) a series of short lines of writing or numbers arranged one below the other on a page 栏，列2) part of a newspaper regularly dealing with a particular subject or written by the same journalist （报纸的）专栏3) a tall, solid, upright stone post used to support a building or as a decoration 柱，圆柱4) a large number of rows of people, vehicles, etc., following one behind the other 一队 /列 (车等、人 ), 纵行complimentary / / adj. expressing admiration, praise, etc. 赞美的，赞赏的cordial / / adj. (formal) sincere and friendly 诚挚而友好的deserve / / v. have earned something by good or bad actions or behavior 应受，应得，值得drawback / / n. disadvantage 不利条件，缺点，弊端enterprise / / n.1) a company or business 企业，公司2) a large or important project, especially one that is new or different 事业，计划，行动freshness / / n. newness; activeness 新意，勃勃生机insincere / / adj. not expressing your feelings or opinions honestly 不真诚的inspiring / / adj. making one feel enthusiastic or excited about something 激励或鼓舞人心的intrigue / / v. interest someone; make someone curious 激起 的好奇心 (或兴趣 ) 迷住，investment / / n.1) putting money or other resources into a project in hopes of profit or success 投资2) a sum of money that is invested 投资额long-distance / / adj. covering large distances 长距离的mayor/ / n. the head of the council of a city or town 市长memo / / n. a short official note to another person in the same company or organization 备忘录#mentor / / n. an experienced person who advises and helps a less experienced person 导师，指导者milestone / / n. a stone put at the side of a road showing distances in miles, or an accomplishment along the way to a greater success 里程碑，重大事件nearby / / adj. not far away 附近的adv. not far from where one is 在附近overdue/ / adj. not completed or paid by the due date or expected time 过期（未付）的，延误的pad / / n.1) several sheets of paper fastened together, used for writing, drawing, etc. 便笺本，拍纸簿2) a piece of soft thick cloth or rubber which is used to protect a part of the body, give shape to something or clean something 护垫 , 衬垫poetic / / adj. of, relating to, or characteristic of poets or poetry 富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的practitioner / / n. a person actively engaged in an art, discipline, or profession从事者，实践者，开业者precise / / adj. exact, clear, and correct 精确的，准确的rag-eared / / adj. worn-out; dog-eared （书页）折角的，（书等）破旧的，翻旧了的recipient / / n. someone who receives something 接受者，接收者reread / / v. read again 再读，重读 savor / / v. fully enjoy a time or experience, or the taste or flavor of something 品味，体验#scribble / / v. write (something) very fast or carelessly 匆匆或随手书写sentimental / / adj. easily affected by emotions, often in a way that seems silly to other people 多愁善感的，多情的sincere / / adj. not pretended; genuine; saying things that one really means 诚挚的，真诚的，诚恳的spirit-lifting / / adj. inspiring 鼓舞人心的spontaneous / / adj. happening naturally without outside influence or force 自然的，自发的stationery / / n. writing materials (e.g. paper, envelopes, etc.) ，文具 (配套的 ) 信笺信封thrive / / v. (throve, thrived, or thriven, thrived) grow or develop well and vigorously; prosper 兴旺，繁荣，茁壮成长tough / / adj.1) rough; violent 粗暴的，充满暴力的2) difficult to do or deal with, and needing a lot of effort and determination 困难的，难对付的3) able to live through difficult or severe conditions 坚强的，能吃苦耐劳的typewriter / / n. a machine with a keyboard that you use for typing words directly onto a sheet of paper 打字机unresponsive / / adj. not reacting in an appropriate way to what people say or do 不响应的，感受迟钝的#upbeat / / adj. Optimistic; cheerful 乐观的，快乐的vague / / adj.1)not clearly expressed, known, described or decided 含糊的，不明确的，模糊的2)not clear in shape, not clearly seen 不清晰的，模糊的virtually / / adv. almost 几乎well-wishing / / n. an expression of good will from one person to another 良好祝愿 attach importance to believe that something is important 认为 重要a pat on the back （informal ）praise for something that one has done well 表扬，鼓励be on to something (informal) realize the significance; have an idea or information that leads to something important 在做有重要意义（会产生重要结果）的事 follow up take further action after (by means of something else) 在之后再采取进一步行动lift up stimulate, inspire 鼓舞，激励 make a habit of form, develop the habit of 形成/养成的习惯make somebodys day make somebody feel happy 使某人 (的日子过得 )快活pass along hand on 传递 , 转交shy away from avoid doing something because one is afraid or not confident enough（由于害怕、心里不踏实或缺乏信心等）回避（做某事），躲开turn (a)round improve after failure; change for the better使向好的方向发展walk of life type of work, trade, profession, or social position 社会 ，阶层 行业，职业album / / n. a book in which photographs, stamps, etc., can be kept (邮票等的、收存照片 ) 册子billfold / / n. (AmE) a small flat leather case, used for carrying paper money, cards, etc. 皮夹子blurt / / v. say something suddenly and without thinking 脱口而出#coffin / / n. a box in which a dead body is buried or burnt 棺材delightful / / adj. very pleasant or attractive 使人快乐的，令人愉快的#edgy / / adj. Nervous; easily upset or annoyed 易怒的，不安的farmhouse / / n. the main house on the farm, where the farmer lives ）尤指主要住房（农庄住宅incessantly / / adv. continually 不停地junior / / adj.1) noting or pertaining to the class or year next below that of the senior 初级的2) lower in rank or standing 地位或身份低的，资历浅的mask / / v. hide (as if) with a mask; keep from being seen or noticed 用面具遮住，遮盖mischievousness / / n. being playfully annoying 淘气，调皮#novice / / adj. (of someone) new to the task 新手的，生手的permission / / n. the act of allowing someone to do something 准许proceed / / v.1) go in a particular position 行进）沿特定路线（，前进）朝特定方向（2) go on to a further or the next stage; go on 进行，继续下去ragged / / adj. torn and in a bad condition 破旧的refold / / v. bend a piece of paper, cloth, etc. by laying or pressing one part over another again 再折叠remainder / / n. remaining people, things or time 东西或时间、剩下的人serviceman / / n. a man in the armed forces 军人shrug / / v. raise ones shoulders slightly (to express doubt, indifference, ignorance, etc.) 耸肩（表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等）sideways / / adj.& adv. to, towards or from the side 向 (从 )一边 (的 )横着， (的 )wink / / v. close one eye very briefly, especially as a private signal to somebody 眨眼 , 眨眼示意act on behave according to 根据行事be/become accustomed to (doing) be used to doing something or be in the habit of doing something 习惯于 blurt out say something suddenly and rapidly, even when one is expected to keep quiet 突然说出，脱口而出get out of hand become impossible to control 无法控制if only I wish 但愿就好了只要， 就好了(后面的从句用虚拟语气 )make of understand something in a particular way 理解，解释move on leave your present job, class, or activity and start doing another one 更换目前的工作 、班级、活动等而开始另一项once too often one time more than is sensible or safe (指冒险犯规等) 次数太多；屡次三番，引来恶果tear off pull violently off 撕掉to this day even now 至今assumption / / n. something that is taken as a fact or believed to be true without proof 假定，臆断 cheat / / v. behave in a dishonest or deceitful way in order to win an advantage 欺骗，作弊conditional / / adj.1) (of a clause, phrase, conjunction, or verb form) expressing a condition 条件的2) subject to one or more conditions or requirements being met 有条件的#disprove / / v. prove (something) to be false 驳斥，反驳，证明不真实empirical / / adj. based on observation or experience (instead of theory or pure logic) 从观察或经验中得来的engineering / / n. the branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures 工程，工程技术 (学 )enroll / / v. officially arrange to join a school, university, or course, or to arrange for someone else to do this 入学，加入；招收，吸收evoke / / v. bring to mind a certain image or feeling 使人想起，引起，唤起expressive / / adj. expressing something (有关) 表达的，表现的grammatical / / adj. of or about grammar; correct according to the rules of grammar 语法的，符合语法规则的#guise / / n. the way someone or something appears to people 伪装imagery / / n. visually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work 意象形象化描述，imperfect / / adj. not completely correct or perfect 不完美的，有缺陷的imperfectly / / adv. not completely or perfectly 不完全地，不完美地intimacy / / n. close familiarity or friendship; closeness 亲密，密切nominalize / / v. create or make a noun 使名词化perception / / n.1) the way you regard something and your beliefs about what it is like 认识，看法2) the natural ability to understand or notice things quickly 洞察力，认识能力#portfolio / / n.1) a group of stocks owned by a particular person or company (个人或公司所持有的 ) 投资组合，有价证券财产目录2) a large flat case for loose sheets of paper such as drawings, documents, etc.公事包，文件夹#pre-med / / n. (AmE)a premedical student 医学预科生rebellious / / adj. showing a desire to resist authority, control, or convention难控制的，反抗的，叛逆的relate / / v.1) show or make a connection