Newkirk had been working in marketing for a Fortune 500 company managing a multi-million dollar brand when she gave birth to her son. Shortly thereafter, her dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and she moved him to live near her. “I went into heavy caretaking mode. I felt like I wasn’t doing a good job at work or at home,” said Newkirk, who traveled frequently for work. “I wanted to work hard on my time.” 

Then social media, namely Facebook and Twitter, took off, creating instant, interactive dialogue among people. “Everybody in our industry was concerned about what social media would do to the paper business,” Newkirk said. “But it’s made corresponding more relevant. It’s just changed how it happens.”

“We asked ourselves, ‘How can we take these tools and build on them so that people can feel good about the way they’re making their relationships stronger using those mediums?’”

Strengthen familial bonds by reaching out using technology. “My mom loves to see her grandson,” Newkirk said. So she plans on skyping with her that day. You can also take a photo and add a few lines to personalize it before emailing or texting it to make your recipient smile. A simple phone call works, too.

Do your part to create a positive work environment. Leave a post-it note on your co-worker’s computer, bring in coffee, or buy a box of donuts to share. “All you need is a sentence or two as to why you appreciate your colleagues,” Newkirk said. “A sincere compliment goes a million miles.”

Recognize the contributions others make to improve your life by sending a handwritten note or giving a small token of appreciation. “My hairdresser just started a blog,” Newkirk said. “I picked up a journal for her at Anthropologie and wrote, ‘Congratulations on the launch of your blog,’ on the first page.” Other ideas that don’t cost money: Have your kids make a card for their nanny or piano teacher, shoot off a quick email to your realtor, or write a note to a camp counselor. “Etiquette is an industry now, but it shouldn’t be,” she said. “It’s about emotion.”

Think about who else you can reach out to so you continue the habit of writing one note or text each day to make somebody smile. “You’ll be inspired by reaching out to people, but you’ll also be inspired by the responses you get,” Newkirk said.

Jennifer Jeanne Patterson is a freelance writer and author of52 Fights. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and three children. Find her blog at Unplanned Cooking.

Check out the 20 best celebrity smiles here.

Don’t miss out on MORE great articles like this one. Click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter!