Many of you know that, at Singer Burke, we devote a lot of time to thinking about how our core values can illuminate the path toward growth for our firm. Our first core value reads: Our success and fulfillment in our work is enhanced by creating and sustaining authentic, personal, and proactive relationships with colleagues, clients and the greater community.” In that spirit, we launched the Singer Burke Journal in September 2005 as a place for reflections on life, values and financial well-being.”
Although it has been a couple of years since we’ve actively updated our journal, we are now recommitting to sharing our reflections, thoughts, ideas and insights on a regular basis. With our journal and newly launched social media, we hope to engage and enhance our growing community. Because we are grateful for this opportunity to share with you, it seems appropriate to revisit our journal entry from August 2007 about the power of appreciation.
Given the ever-increasing complexity of our world in general—especially with regard to financial markets, tax law and government regulation—resourcefulness and the ability to grow in the face of adversity are valuable skills to have in your arsenal. Although it may seem counterintuitive, appreciating what you already have is critical to realizing your most important life and/or financial goals. I hope you enjoy our relaunch of the Singer Burke Journal with What You Appreciate, Appreciates.”
What You Appreciate, Appreciates
How we direct our attention determines who we are and what we are about. Do you believe this is true? If yes, then you have a daily opportunity to direct your attention toward relationships with anything or anyone in a way that can empower and enhance those relationships. I call this the power of appreciation.” A very practical example of this concept is the way we take care of our homes. When we give our homes and neighborhoods affection and attention, their values can increase significantly over time. Simply put, the power to appreciate, appreciates.
Our personal relationships also demonstrate the power of appreciation. When we appreciate the unique value of someone who is different than us, we build a solid foundation for a mutually fulfilling relationship.
The power of appreciation can also be applied in business. When a company makes a commitment to excellence and fosters a pride of ownership, the results can be astounding—not only to the company, but also to its stakeholders, employees, clients, community and the world. The simple act of appreciation can be one of our most powerful tools to create a satisfying life. Ultimately, the level of success, freedom and creativity that we experience in life can be enhanced and expanded by our judicious use of appreciation. This is especially true as it relates to our relationships with money.
The Power of Negative Attention
If our attention and intentions become focused on envy, resentment or jealousy, those attitudes can affect our behavior with money. If our attention and intentions become focused on integrity, commitment and creativity, we will express ourselves financially with these qualities.
Put another way, if you believe that you can sustain yourself and your family, and contribute to the well-being of others in a meaningful way, your capacity to nourish yourself and others expands. Your appreciation for what you already have grows, too. However, if you believe that there’s never enough,” more is always better” or that’s just the way it is,” those thoughts and fears will grow until no amount of money will give you peace of mind.
Appreciate and Prosper
When faced with adversity, your ability to meet it, learn from it and grow from it can depend on your appreciation of what you already have. Your ability to appreciate can help build your capacity to prosper, not only in the face of adversity, but because of it. Your conscious attention and intentions can cause your experience of prosperity to grow and create value where no one would have imagined it possible.
Want to achieve your most important goals? Start by appreciating what you already have.