How To Be a Givefluencer
Pay It Forward By Harnessing the Power of Acknowledgment
By Ken Honda
Photo Courtesy of Ken Honda
Many are familiar with the idea of “paying it forward” — taking the good feelings from a positive experience you’ve had and sharing it with someone else to give them a positive experience, too. The recent story of 900 cars in a row paying it forward at a Minnesota drive-through is a great example.
When we use money in this way, we get “happy money” — money that is given or received with good feelings and intentions. By participating in the cycle of happy money, we not only increase the happy money in our lives, but we also increase our positive experiences. But money is not the only way we can “pay it forward.” It is not the only currency in our lives. Another way to give to others and receive good feelings ourselves is through the power of acknowledgment. The more we acknowledge others’ good work, the more we amplify it in our own lives and communities.
See a Givefluencer - Be a Givefluencer
If you notice someone giving their time, money, or effort towards helping others, do this:
1. Acknowledge them in a meaningful way, whether through a financial gift to support their good work, a personal note of thanks, or public appreciation that boosts their efforts.
2. Build impact by taking inspired action and becoming a givefluencer yourself. How does their good work motivate you? What ideas does it give you for how to carry that intention forward in your own way?
It’s actually quite simple: just start congratulating those who are doing good in the world. For example, over the winter in Japan, about 300 cars got stuck due to a snowstorm — which doesn’t happen very often here! In response, a nearby ramen noodle shop owner decided to give away 300 bowls of noodles and rice. He cooked all night with his three staff members and served the 300 drivers who were stuck on the roadway.
That is being a givefluencer — making giving a way of life, making a difference through giving. And I thought, “Somebody like that should be awarded a medal!” So, I designed a special happy money medal and awarded it to the shop owner.
Who do you see making a difference in your community? How can you find a unique and meaningful way to acknowledge their good work? Again, it doesn’t have to be financially. You could tell their story on a local community board to help bring attention to their business. You could volunteer to help them in their efforts. You can become a givefluencer yourself and tell the world that it was this person or business that inspired you.
These are just some of the ways we can “pay it forward” and increase the flow of happy money in our lives, and in our communities. After all, recent research from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Northwestern University offers scientific evidence that giving to others increases happiness.
The more you give, the happier you become. That is #happymoneyinaction!
Create a life you love through giving, and acknowledge others who are making a difference.
Money and happiness expert Ken Honda is a best-selling self-development author in Japan, with book sales surpassing seven million copies since 2001. His latest book is called “Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace With Your Money”
Learn more at KenHonda.com.