In today’s digital age, where everything is on the internet, information is easily accessed and available. Everyone can post anything—from insights to achievements. While it can be uplifting to see these positive posts, we often compare our lives to others, leading to unrealistic expectations and feelings of inferiority. Social media makes this worse, defining success by the mainstream narrative and making many people feel unaccomplished.
At work, it’s also inevitable that we compare ourselves to others, despite the positive company culture we strive to enforce. As humans, our competitive nature sometimes turns comparative tendencies into envy. This envy can hinder us in building honest and genuine relationships with our colleagues and often creates a toxic work environment.
At VBP, our fourth Fundamental, “Appreciate and Focus on What You Have”, teaches us to turn those comparative thoughts into positives by focusing on and appreciating what we have. By practicing gratitude and valuing our own achievements and strengths, we foster a more supportive and encouraging environment. This approach not only improves individual well-being but also enhances teamwork and collaboration, making us all more effective and content in our roles.
Fundamental in Action
One of our Senior Financial Planning Assistants, Joyce Omega, shares her take and practical examples at work with the featured fundamental:
“We all have our strengths and applying them improves our overall quality of life and work. Comparing ourselves to others can be discouraging, but if we view it positively, it can motivate us to be better than before.
While we can’t control every situation, we can control where we place our focus and attention. Appreciating and focusing on what we have helps us feel happy and positive, boosting our overall well-being.
For instance, if some teammates excel in a particular task, rather than envying them, we can learn from them and let their expertise inspire us to grow our careers at VBP. Consistently leveraging our strengths also helps us develop in areas needing improvement.
Lastly, appreciation in the workplace is vital as it motivates us to maintain and enhance our performance.”
Like Joyce, let’s foster growth and positivity by practicing gratitude and focusing on what we have.
Key Takeaways: Focus on What You Have
Being grateful and appreciative at work benefits both the team members and the company. It fosters a positive atmosphere, encourages mutual support, and leads to higher productivity and job satisfaction. Embracing this fundamental helps us build a thriving and collaborative work environment at VBP.
We challenge you to apply this fundamental in your own team or company. Focus on appreciating what you have and encourage your colleagues to do the same. By fostering a culture of gratitude, you will likely see improved morale, stronger teamwork, and a more positive and productive work environment.
Embracing the VBP Fundamentals
Everything starts with the smallest steps. Slowly embrace the VBP Fundamentals within your organisation by highlighting one principle every week. This step fuels growth and success within your team.
As we embrace the VBP Fundamentals, both individually and collectively, we not only elevate ourselves but also inspire those around us forging a path toward success, fulfillment, and meaningful impact.
We encourage you to begin highlighting one fundamental every week. By consistently integrating these principles into your team’s ethos, you not only cultivate a culture rooted in excellence and integrity but also strengthen the bonds that unite your global teams, propelling them toward collective success and unparalleled achievement.
