We all have people who serve as great inspiration to us. They’re the ones we’re always reading, listening to, retweeting, and quoting to the point where our friends and family grow tired of hearing it. But do you ever wonder how your inspirations stay inspired? Did you ever wonder if you could possibly play a role in keeping them inspired? Did you know that you could be your greatest inspiration’s greatest inspiration?

For any artist, leader, entrepreneur, or businessperson, the act of creating something new is, by itself, a truly rewarding experience. We create because we love the work. Nothing can compare though, to the rush one gets when their work is understood and appreciated by a third party.

Now I’m not saying that we should create solely for the approval of others. And I certainly don’t claim to be anyone’s greatest influence, but I do know the humbling joy of receiving an email, message, or text from a reader who has been touched or changed by something I have written or said. These “thank you notes” often serve as greater inspiration than any ‘creative spark’ or long walk down the beach ever could.

A creator’s work is always done with her audience’s best interest in mind. Whether she’s a business CEO or stay-at-home-mom, she works and slaves over her creation, hoping that her children or her employees might be positively affected by it. In the end, all of the backbreaking, mind-splitting work is worth it for those two simple words, “Thank you.” Those words stand as an inspiring reminder that she has made a difference, and that is sure to add much fuel to creative fire.

So say, “thank you” to one of your inspirations today. You can never underestimate the power of that phrase. When used in a genuine way, those words could help you become your greatest inspiration’s greatest inspiration.