Learn Why Appreciation is the Glue to Your Success

{By: Susan Vernicek} Gratitude or appreciation. Tomato or tomahto, right? For me, I prefer appreciation over gratitude. It could have something to do with my severe lack of appreciation over thirteen years ago. After living in London and traveling the world for a summer back in 2004, I had to come home for your typical “adult” responsibilities. It was then I lost my way for a few years; until one day I had an awakening whiling sitting in my square, grey cubical with no windows at my 9-5.

I was sixty-five pounds overweight, depressed, lost, and lonely. Yet, there I was, in my 20’s with a good salary, living at home for free and a gym directly across the street from my office building.

It was at that moment I realized I needed to have more appreciation for the life I have had thus far and all the amazing experiences—and to stop feeling sorry for myself. It was at that moment I accepted responsibility for my choices, actions, and results because I created them. 

Fast forward over a decade and I’m now teaching and coaching others about Self-Acceptance, Appreciation, and Personal Achievement—it’s my signature “Get All A’s formula or “Your A-Game” approach.

Appreciation Leads to Success

Over the years I have discovered the daily patterns that play a huge role in my personal achievements, as well as all the women I have helped.

For so long I was stuck, blaming others, in debt, overweight, and throwing my own pity parties, I was missing the big picture. It takes a huge amount of fortitude and motivation to accept what is—especially when you don’t like your current circumstance or situation. I know you can relate to this as you journey through your unique life.

So how do you cultivate daily appreciation when you’re facing an obstacle like a pandemic or any other struggle? 

You first create awareness and acceptance of your circumstances. As you embrace “what is AS is”, you can discover that resources are at your disposal for support, growth, and transformation. When you lack the awareness and resist accepting what is, you become feeling stuck.

Embracing and expressing appreciation works and there’s even science to prove it. There’s a happiness study from Oxford University that shows how appreciation is the glue to happiness, which in my opinion is the glue to success. Studies show that if you express just 3 appreciations per day for 30 days, your happiness will increase. Pretty amazing and pretty simple, but yet many of us fight this daily practice.  

What happens when you’re happier?  

You take more positive actions, which leads to more positive results in your life. With experience more joy you create more inner belief, self-worth, and confidence.

What are some of the things you appreciate?

As I evolve on my journey, I appreciate my health and that my family has been healthy. I appreciate that I’ve had several family members recover from COVID. I appreciate my warm coffee in the morning with coconut oil. I feel like it’s my spa in a cup. 

I appreciate my husband and his hard work. I appreciate my hard work as a Mompreneur—showing up daily to give my best as a mother, wife, and business owner. 

I appreciate my twins, pushing me to practice patience, especially as they plot against me most of the time. I appreciate communities like This is it TV, Believe, Inspire, Grow, Thrive Global, Facebook, Instagram, and the digital space that has kept me connected and successful. 

I could go on and on my friends because this feels so good. With this being a daily practice of mine, it’s become natural and habitual for me. The same can happen for you. 

I encourage you to create a daily appreciation practice for your happiness and ultimately your success.  

1. How can you wake up and kickstart your day with appreciation?

2. Who can you appreciate and for what?

3. How can you appreciate your mind, body, and soul?

4. What about your obstacles can you appreciate the challenge and lessons learned?

It’s your turn. I invite you to share your appreciation.