I love this time of year leading up to and including Christmas, New Year's, and most importantly, the week between the two. Not just for the delightful skiing weather, but it offers a chance for the engineer's working world to slow down (even more than Chinese New Year). It allows people to take stock of their current situation, look back at where they've been, and where they want to go. It's a good time to review goals, budgets, and challenges for the upcoming year both personally and professionally. While pausing to consider all of these big-picture life issues, it can be very helpful to thank the people that have been a guiding force along the way. 
If engineers have a fault it is that they think far too much in social situations. So who to thank? I'm certain that more than one reader thought, "I can't thank Jim without thanking Dale and John. And if Jim is being called, it's important to get in touch with these other 20 people." Before long, a nice gesture that is meant to keep connections turns into a long to-do list that must be slogged through. As with determining the best method for chasing members of the opposite sex, engineers find themselves frozen by an overactive mind.
The solution is exactly the same as the romantic interest problem. Stop thinking and start doing. It's not a public event with speeches and TV cameras, so people who may be left out won't be offended. My favorite method is to wait until someone comes to mind for a specific reason. I jot that reason down to make a letter out of, or send a quick email asking the person to lunch, or simply pickup the phone to say hi. If I can't do any of those things, I let it go. Nobody is perfect, and the beauty of making unexpected connections is that a 25% success rate is totally acceptable. It's very unlikely to offend anyone when starting a conversation with, "______made me think of you today."
In the end, it's not really about saying 'thank you.' It's about connecting with the people who have had an impact. Chances are good that if they are remembered now there is more to share in the future. In this line of work, people who work on projects are almost certainly still working with the same toolsets, components, and manufacturing techniques. Who knows, one might be lucky enough to re-connect with an old mentor and find that there is a way to return the favor.
So join me during this winter's slow season and make the connections that have just been intentions. Do it without thinking, planning, or hesitation. Life is better that way anyways.
