Never say, “Thank you for your time.”
Ever.
Sometimes we say things we don’t mean. Other times, we say things we do mean but in a way that isn’t believable. Then there are the times when we do a bit of both.
For example, What are we really saying when we say, “Thank you for your time.”?
- There’s an insinuation that their time is more valuable than yours, and that’s not true. If anything, you should care about your time more than you care about anyone else’s. Simply because it’s the most precious resource you have.
- It implies that you are taking something from them that’s akin to stealing. And that shouldn’t be true. If you cannot give value in exchange for the time they’ve spent with you, do the other person a favor and end the interaction right away. Or better, don’t engage at all.
- It suggests that you see yourself as below them in some way. You might be tempted to call that humility. It’s not. Its insecurity. Humility knows you are infinitely valuable without needing others to be less valuable for you to keep seeing yourself in that light.
Instead of thanking people for their time, try one of these:
- I am grateful we were able to spend time together. Thank you.
- Thank you for meeting with me. It was time well spent.
- Thank you for the conversation. I am better because of it.
- I am glad we were able to do this. I look forward to our next meeting.
It is possible to honor people and yourself at the same time. And you should, if for no other reason than you’re worth it.
“You should never get on your knees just so someone else can feel taller.” – Molly B.
If you tell them they are more valuable than you, they will believe you, but that’s not the worst of it.
If you signal to them that they are more valuable for long enough, you’re in danger of accepting it. And if you buy into that lie, you can expect life will be, at best, mediocre and, at worst, miserable.
Our time is worth something; let’s reflect it in our communication.
