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Last week’s tip was to send people handwritten notes. Coincidentally, I came across this podcast that shows this strategy in motion.
Buzz Williams, Head Coach of Texas A&M’s basketball program, is a handwritten note maniac. He’s used it to build up professional relationships and wouldn’t be where he is without them.
On Jon Gordon’s podcast, Williams said he wrote a handwritten note to everyone he learned something from during the come-up. It was a way to stand out.
Nowadays, even as he is busy running a successful D1 basketball program, Williams still manages to write 120 handwritten notes per month.
Gordon even acknowledged that Williams has written him a note for the past 90 consecutive months. That’s 7.5 years worth of letters. For some context, I wasn’t even legally allowed to drink when Williams began writing Gordon letters.
Let’s start with a manageable first step. If you want to stand out, go find 3 people that you admire, work for or want to work for and write them a note. Say that you appreciate what they do. Make it personalized and thoughtful.
Each month, try to increase the number slowly but surely.
Over the years, this will be a game-changer to your career.
