How to Reward Your Circle

In a previous blog, I wrote about the importance of being proactive in seeking new people into your changing social circle after you retired.

As part of your relationship planning, think how you can reward those people important enough to be in your social circle.  In addition to your spouse, family members and close friends, give serious consideration to your spiritual leader, doctor, insurance agent, financial advisor, accountant, lawyer and neighbour.  Take time to let those in your circle know how much each of them means to you.

Your spiritual leader provides you guidance, your doctor, insurance agent, financial advisor, accountant and lawyer provide their professional advice, and your neighbours, peace of mind when you are away and camaraderie when you’re home.

Now you may be asking yourself why thank them? Let me share an event when I was speaking to 60 financial advisors. I posed the question, “Who present has recently received sincere thanks for what you do from a client?” Two advisors raised their hands. When asked to describe the thanks and reaction, both outlined what was said and one added, “As the advisor, it made me feel proud about my service and that I wanted to more for the client.” The second advisor said, “The sincere thanks made me float!”

Ask yourself how you can reward those in your social circle. It may be as simple as informing the person that he or she plays an important part in your life. A heartfelt ‘thank you’ lets them know your feelings and appreciation of their contribution. Other rewards could include treating the person to lunch every three or four months, sending a handwritten note of thanks or calling them on their birthday. 

Recognizing people for being in your life is a very personal gesture and how you do it will vary person to person, relationship to relationship.

Cy is constantly rewarding those in his social circle.  He recognizes the birthdays of his financial advisor, his accountant and life insurance agent.  When asked why he takes the time and effort to remember their birthdays, Cy’s answer is, “These people are important to me.  They play a critical role in my life and help me keep my financial and personal affairs in order.”

Exercise

As an exercise, list the people you consider part of your social circle.  Outline what rewards you will give to signify their importance to you.

In my next blog, I’ll address spousal/partner relations in retirement.