If you have been a regular reader of this Monday Aha! feature, you know that I am in the process of finding a Famous Published Author to write the forward to my book, The Napkin Melon & the Monkey. (I self published the book in 2006 and recently sold the rights to publishing giant Hay House. Hay House will release the hard cover version in February).

Early this year  I invited a certain Famous Published Author who wrote a wildly popular fable book — the title of which you would recognize instantly. He said that while he thought my book was terrific, he’d have to check with his agent because writing a forward for a book was a “business decision.”  That conversation was 4 months ago. I have yet to hear from him.

I made the same request of the Famous Published Author, Marshall Goldsmith and got a very different response. Dr. Goldsmith is professor and behavioral coach who helps high-performing  executives recognize the behaviors that are preventing them from being even more successful. Goldsmith’s work has been recognized by almost every business publication and professional organization in his field.

I read his best-selling book,  What Got You Here Won’t Get You There and became an instant fan. I became even more of a fan after I saw him demonstrate his famous “feedforward” process at Google University (U-Tube). Feedforward involves asking others for specific suggestions for changing a problem behavior. The process requires you to listen to the suggestions without comment and then express your gratitude by simply saying “thank you.” To say that Dr. Goldsmith is a proponent of “thanking” would be an understatement.

I invited Marshall to write the forward to my book in an email. Much to my surprise he wrote back within a couple of days. He apologized for not having time to write a forward,  but said he would be happy to endorse my book.

But, here is the coolest thing about the guy: he walks the talk. In his most recent email to me, Marshall actually thanked me for asking him to write the endorsement.

This week, do what Dr. Goldsmith suggests in his book. Make a list of people who have helped you but you have not adequately thanked. Either express your gratitude in person or, if that isn’t possible, write him or her a note of thanks.  Don’t worry about over doing it.When it comes to showing gratitude Marshall says,  “None of us to can do it enough.”

Thank you. Pass it on.