A Simple Way to Make an Impact: The Handwritten Note

Happy New Year!  Are you looking for a simple way to make a difference in 2015?

Commit to writing more handwritten notes.

I have a great friend who owns a radio station in Marietta, OH.  Several years ago, he challenged me to write five handwritten letters a week.  To date, I haven’t been able to keep up the pace of five a week; however, I am confident that the notes I have sent out have been well received.  The general theme of my blog is “Life Lessons Learned through Athletics.”  First, let’s take a look at two handwritten notes and one typed note from athletics.

1. Fall 2013.  Kansas State hosted  a FCS opponent North Dakota State in their season opener. Although NDSU is a perennial power, the smaller school was not supposed to have a chance against Kansas State.  In a very tight, physical game NDSU defeated KSU 24-21.  If you follow college sports you know that there is a ton of pressure to win.  Programs like Kansas State are supposed to dominate smaller schools, compete for conference and even national championships.  A loss against a FCS opponent brings ridicule and can often lead to the firing of the coaching staff.  What’s amazing about this story is not NDSU “slaying the giant”; it is about how KSU’s head coach, Bill Snyder reacted.  What was Coach Snyder’s reaction? He wrote NDSU’s star quarterback, Brock Jensen, a handwritten note.

Following a devastating loss, Coach Snyder reacts by sending a classy note

2.  The “Iron Bowl” is one of the most intense rivalries in all of college football.  The game means everything to the fans of both Alabama and Auburn.  Alabama’s kicker, Cade Foster, had a tough game in their 2013 loss missing all three of his field goal attempts.  He received death threats on social media following the game.  Former President, George Bush, took the time to write the discouraged kicker.

Our 43rd President took the time to pen a letter to #43 for the Crimson Tide.

3.  Recruiting is a competitive environment.  If you have ever recruited, you know that it is crushing when a prospective athlete chooses another school.  So much time and energy are invested into the prospect that very strong emotions, even anger, can overcome you.  In 1980, Coach Krzyzewski lost a decent player to arch rival North Carolina.  Did Coach K respond by telling Michael Jordan what a bad choice he made?  Did he bash UNC and Coach Dean Smith? No, he sent Michael Jordan a letter.

Pure Class

Please allow me to pass the challenge on to you, increase the number of handwritten notes you send this year.  Here are some specifics for the challenge:

1. Write five handwritten notes a week: You can do this.  Head Virginia Tech Basketball Coach, Buzz Williams, wrote 425 letters a week when he graduated college.  If Coach Buzz can write 75 notes a night, we can surely do five a week.  Here is a blog post from Coach Buzz describing his passion for note writing.  He is one of my favorite leaders to study. http://coachbuzzwilliams.com/2014/10/handwritten-notes/
2. It Must be Handwritten: Emails do not count.  Take the time to “put pen to paper.”  We’ve become inundated with email; we’ve almost become desensitized to email.  A handwritten letter leaves a much bigger impact.
3.  Make sure some letters are to people who can do nothing for you: Sure, we all want to send letters to potential employers or donors, but I challenge you to write to someone who cannot help you.  What you will find is that by lifting their spirits you will also lift yours.

Let me share four handwritten note experiences that are very special to me:

1. My Aunt Maureen sends me a birthday card every year that includes an update on her family.  She has been sending me these letters since college.  I look forward to receiving her card and note in the mail every September.
2. One of my favorite things to do is give our seniors my favorite book, The Alchemist.  I’ve been doing this for several years dating back to my time as an assistant at Marietta College.  The best part for me is writing a note in the back of the book to each individual.  Corny, maybe?  But my hope is the book (and note) will help them at some point in their life.
3. Following our first National Championship in 2006, I sent handwritten letters to 50 coaches that I dreamed to work for.  I received several responses but one note resulted in a mentorship that I greatly value.  One simple letter has resulted in nearly a decade relationship that has had a tremendous influence on my career.
4. Last year, a close friend of mine gifted me the book, “David and Goliath” by Malcolm Gladwell.  The book was great; however, what I value most is the note on the inside cover.  I’ve read the book twice; I’ve read his note countless amounts of time.

I’d enjoy to hear your stories on how handwritten notes have impacted your life.  Please send me your story or provide me with an example of the power of a handwritten note.

Be Outstanding,

Mike