The purpose of this practice is to express genuine gratitude, highlighting how much you appreciate the other person and the things he or she does. This practice origins from Positive Psychology.
Being grateful is one of the things that can really help you to achieve more. It is proven that being more aware of the things that you have and where you are grateful will help you to be more positive about the other and over yourself.
You have to write a letter. In this letter, you write all the good things down from the other person you like to thank. It is important that you write things down of the other person that helped you. So if you think she is really good at giving feedback, what has brought that for you personally. For example, say that by receiving this feedback you are able to see what your behavior brings to another person and that this has made you more aware.
Now it can become awkward. In some cultures (I think the Dutch culture is one of them) it can feel awkward to share your feelings or your appreciation with your pears. The letter you wrote can now be read to the other person.
Be aware all your gratitude has to be genuine! The movie Marriage Story begins with a letter just like this.
This practice will bring some positivity in the relationship between you and the person you are writing the letter for. It is proven that this will help the pear, but also you as a person. It will make you aware of the things you think are important in another person. And this also will help you to be more positive. About the other, but also about yourself.
Hefferson, K and Boniwell, I (2011) Positive Psychology: Theory research and applications.
van Nieuwerburgh, C (2017) An introduction to coaching skills.
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