How You Can See Immediate Changes in Your Life!
Apply the Laws of Appreciation and Fair Exchange
You can be happier, healthier, and wealthier by understanding and utilizing a simple process. In the next couple of minutes, I’ll tell you how.
First, understand the Law of Fair Exchange. When someone gives you something, give something back. Most of us recognize that law. Think of a Christmas party. If there is a gift exchange it goes much better if there is an expected price on the gifts. Imagine one person brings a gift that cost $100 and exchange it with someone who brought a gift that cost $25. Both people are out of balance and will feel the difference.
If someone gives me a compliment, I feel out of balance. I feel I should return the compliment. At the minimum, I say thank you. A simple thank you acknowledges the person and makes them feel better. I feel better too.
The Law of Fair Exchange is used all the time. Sometimes it is used as a bribe and loses its effectiveness. Some businesses send out requests for donations with a dollar bill. They are trying to use the Law of Fair Exchange to get a donation of even more value. In those cases, many people feel they are being manipulated.
It can backfire. I was talking with a friend yesterday. He said that he managed sporting goods stores. A salesman gave him a jacket, and slacks to induce him to sell his sporting goods. He considered it similar to a bribe and refused. The salesman was upset.
Second, look at the Law of Appreciation. We get more of what we appreciate. Think of an asset. A home is a good example. Many of us have taken care of our homes and seen them increase in value. I’ve even written a book about it. Taking care of our homes is an act of appreciation. Even if we don’t sell the home, we can enjoy using it because we have taken care of it.
Think of a vacant home you have seen. The grass is grown too high. The paint is peeling. There is moss on the roof. Eventually water will leak through the roof, and it will be uninhabitable. All because of a lack of appreciation.
Now think of applying the Law of Appreciation to your body. Are you appreciating your body or are you ignoring it. As I write this, my wife is attending a couple of exercise groups. I prefer to exercise alone. Both of us are appreciating our bodies. We are taking care of them. Our muscles are becoming stronger because of our care. We can do more.
Like the house example, we see people every day who haven’t appreciated their bodies. They don’t watch their diets. They don’t exercise. It shows. They become weaker and their lives become more limited.
Imagine combining Fair Exchange with Appreciation. In business, we show our appreciation with dollars. If we are charged too much, we are less likely to go back to the business. If we fail to pay for services, eventually the business will cease to exist.
My boat wouldn’t start last year. I took the battery to the local O’Reilly parts store. They charged and checked it for me for free. It was fine. When I needed a battery for my Jeep, I bought it at O’Reilly. What if I had just gone to a different store for a cheaper battery? If everyone did that, O’Reilly service would cease to exist.
I know someone who went to a furniture store. She sat on all the furniture. She made a choice then bought the couch online. She saved a couple of hundred dollars. What if we all do that? Imagine failing to appreciate the salespeople, the inventory, and the store. Continuation of that will kill local retail. Online will be the only way to purchase.
Pass these concepts along. Some people don’t seem to feel the laws. They abuse the Law of Fair Exchange by giving hoping to get more back. Or they receive without giving anything back. Make them aware of the laws and if they continue abusing them, drop them from your life.
Put the laws into practice. Show your appreciation for good service by paying a little extra, tip a little more. Thank people often. Send out thank you cards. Take care of your assets. Your appreciation will come back to you, and you will be happier, healthier, and wealthier.