FFN 009: The Power of Appreciation

Welcome to your Friday Field Notes – a short episode delivered each week designed to help you think critically about what it means to be a man.

My goal is to help you become a better leader in your family, your business, and your community.

If you’re interested in getting involved in more discussions like this and want to take charge of your life, I encourage you to check out our elite mastermind, The Iron Council.

This week, I talk about the power of appreciation

Transcript, The Power of Appreciation

Men, what’s going on today?! My name is Ryan Michler and I am the host and founder of Order of Man. I’m glad you’re back with us if you’ve been with us for a while now and, if you’re new here welcome to our podcast where we talk about all things manly.

I’m sure you know by now, this is our short show released each and every Friday to help you with some motivation or me just rambling for a couple minutes about some of my thoughts throughout the week.

Make sure you subscribe to our show at www.orderofman.com/itunes so you don’t miss a Friday Field Notes or our full interview show released each Tuesday. We’ve got some killer guest lined up each week with the goal of helping you become a better man in the areas of your relationships, your health, your health, your business, and so much more.

Let’s just jump right into my thoughts this week and that is the power of appreciation. Everywhere I look I see negativity. Whether that’s Facebook, the news, the magazines I read, it’s everywhere.

I think it’s probably human nature to look for the problems in this world and, specifically, I think we as men tend to be more guilty of it than females. It’s wired into us because we are the ones supposed to be solving the problems and keeping everyone alive and thriving.

But, I’ve come to realize, when I’m negative about all that is going on in my life – whether it’s the presidential elections, random gossip between family and friends, and thinking about the ways things should be as opposed to the way they are, I ending up creating scarcity in my life.

My relationships are more strained. My wealth does not grow the way it should. I’m not as motivated to get my butt out of bed and get into the gym.

On the flip-side of that, when I’m positive, I create more – I create abundance in my life. My relationships thrive, my wealth grows as a direct reflection of the actions I’m taking, I’m more motivated not just to get to the gym but other areas of my life as well.

In the midst of all the negativity we’re faced with on a daily basis, it’s important that we take some time to stop and reflect upon all the blessings we have in this life.

As I sit here and record this Friday Field Notes I’m amazed at all that we have. I’m recording this on my computer that gives me access to millions of people across the planet. I’ve got my water here that is filtered and delivered through a tap in my climate-controlled house. I’m looking at a few of my books that gives me access to the greatest minds the world has ever known. I’m sitting on a chair at a desk that someone built so that I didn’t have to which allowed me to focus on the things that are important to me. My feet are resting on comfortable carpet that the world’s richest kings and monarchs did not have even a hundred years ago. I look outside and I see my children playing with each other in peace and safety without a car in the world about a war or crime. I’ve got the clothes on my back. I’ve got this American flag which represents the sacrifice of so many men and women for the freedom and liberty I enjoy today. I’ve got my backpacking gear here as I prepare to go on a hiking adventure with some close friends who want me to succeed.

I could go on and on all day about how many amazing things we have access to but for the sake of time I won’t. But, I encourage you to. Think about all the GOOD things in your life.

Now, with all that said, you and I both know the world is not filled with rainbows and friendly people on every street corner singing kum-ba-yah while holding hands in eternal bliss.

I’m not suggesting we act delusional about the way things really are. It’s up to us, as men, to be extremely realistic about the threats and situations we might finds ourselves in on a daily basis.

But, what I am suggesting is you take a couple minutes each day and think about all that is good and all that you’ve been blessed with.

The other side of this I hear a lot is that we should never be satisfied with our current station. We should always be improving. And, to that I whole-heartedly agree.

But, just because you’re showing appreciation for what you currently have does not mean you aren’t doing all that you can to get more. Deeper relationships, more wealth, better health, and a better life.

In fact, the more you show appreciation for what you have, the more you open up your mind and body to receive more of it in your life.

If you don’t appreciate what you currently have, how would you ever appreciate more.

So, my marching orders for you today are to take a couple minutes each and every day and express appreciation for the things you have in your life. That could mean personal reflection. It could mean that you document your blessing like I do in a journal. And, it could mean that you actually let someone know how much you appreciate them.

And, on that note, I want to let all of you know I appreciate you guys. I would have never imagined Order of Man growing to the point it has in just a little over a year. It would not be what it is today without you and the rest of the men who I get to connect with on a daily basis.

As I sign off today, I just want to give you a quick reminder to consider joining our elite mastermind, The Iron Council. We are roughly 100 strong right now and growing. We issue weekly assignments, daily challenges, and partner you up with a Battle Team. This is all designed to help you become the man you were meant to be in every area of your life.

Check it out at www.orderofman.com/ironcouncil.

Until then guys, show appreciation for what you have, take action, and become the man you were meant to be.