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1 - S T O N E
S T O R Y
Connections are already there. Once you figure out how to connect things in a way others have never seen, you
unleash a whole new set of possibilities. The most creative people are those who make the most connections…
THE MERRITT OF
M E T A P H Y S I C S
By CLAUDIA ANSORGE Photography by DANNY SANCHEZ
T
here’s a benevolent force field around Merritt Sher that pulls you in….no, plugs you in to his
energy and invites you to take in the whole 360 when you’re with him — to consider the full
turn of possibilities available at any moment, connect the dots, and watch what happens. A
metaphysical transfer occurs when you hang out with Merritt that not only reveals his amazing
journey, but also encourages you down the path of your own most authentic expression.
One of America’s celebrated entrepreneurs (see the
Forbes Magazine feature that puts Merritt up there in the
visionary stratosphere with stars like Richard Branson of
Virgin Airlines) and leading real estate innovators (just
search his name on Google for hours of reading on that
subject), you might catch him when he comes to the Red
Bank offices of Metrovation — the successor to
Terranomics Development, the real estate development
company he founded more than thirty years ago.
But now you don’t have to see him in person to energize
your thinking and expand your horizons. You can carry
Merritt fuel in your pocket with the publication of 10
Birds with 1 Stone, the misleadingly modest paperback
collection of what he calls his “philosophical snippets”
and one Amazon.com reviewer calls “my new Bible.”
IF YOU CAN VISUALIZE AN IDEA,
YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.
YOU CAN ONLY BE SO
ORIGINAL WITH THE ORDINARY.
FIND INSPIRATION,
BUT DON’T COPY.
IF IT DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT, IT ISN’T.
WHEN ONE THING CHANGES,
EVERYTHING CHANGES.
KEEP ON THE TRAIL WHEN IT’S HOT,
TAKE A BREAK WHEN IT’S NOT.
THE RESTING PLACE
IS THE LAUNCHING PAD.
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In a handy, pocketsize package, 10 Birds with 1 Stone
offers fifty-two carefully honed teachings that can be
appreciated quickly, often, and over and over again,
read straight through or opened randomly to any page.
At one level, the book can be studied like a concentrated
MBA course for its seasoned advice on how to succeed in
business. But it’s the deeper insights that sneak up on you
like the wisdom of a Sufi master. This isn’t just about
business. It’s a philosophy of life that downloads to a
system for self-realization and fulfillment that’s for anyone
who wants to create and evolve.
You only have to stand on the corner of White and Broad
streets, in the center of downtown Red Bank, to see what
happens when Merritt does what he does. It’s up to you
if you want to do as he says. It requires trusting your
intuition, stepping out of the box, and not letting
consensus be a substitute for common sense. It means
being aware of implications and possibilities. You may
even have to crash in the service of real creativity and
start over again. But when everything is lined up right
according to Merritt metaphysics, one stone can change
the world.
First, blink back to the late 80s when Red Bank was at its nadir with empty storefronts, a dwindling economy, and the gloomy
“Dead Bank” plastered on its prospects. But not for the urban planner and real estate developer from California who’d just
come east to build a lifestyle center of specialty stores called The Grove at Shrewsbury. What Merritt
Sher saw in Red Bank were possibilities and proximities. Best of all, he felt that old familiar tingle
of potential that, one day, would help to realize a world-class travel destination for shopping,
dining, arts and entertainment on the banks of the Navesink River. He saw a natural
synergy between Red Bank and The Grove that bridged the one-mile distance between
them and could draw people to both — away from the deadening big mall experience
down the road.
If you can visualize an idea, you can make it happen. Wait for the moment when you
see the vision clearly. Once you do, that image will always be there. When you
visualize an idea, you are actually seeing an end result which you can then reference.
So in 1989, Merritt took the first step towards delivering a revitalized classic
American downtown, one that would speak to the heart of hometown and draw
new generations of settlers, as well as visitors. Merritt and his company,
Terranomics, boldly bought ailing buildings on Broad Street, starting with
a marble white elephant at #55 that would soon trumpet a new era
when transformed into the stunning regional headquarters for a major
brokerage house.
Commit yourself to the project. Your involvement
fertilizes the terrain, energizes other
elements, and provides a ground for others
to build on. Your vision, once articulated,
will gain momentum, evolve, and grow.
He showed up at meetings. He bought four
more properties on Broad Street and turned
them into retail showcases with innovative,
creative tenants. And following his own
philosophy, he listened for the wavelength in
people, recognizing those with excitement
for the project, ones to whom he felt a
personal affinity and a shared dynamic
attitude. He circulated the energy, letting it
flow and move until everything lined up right.
Never quit when you know you’re right.
The idea of what is right evolves, so
be aware of intervening factors. Unless
something stands in your way that prevents
you from seeing clearly, your instincts will
lead you to the right result. So persevere
because you’re on to something.
Today, the Red Bank Merritt saw in his
mind’s eye is clearly visible to anyone
who comes to town. One stone. One vision.
You bet, he was on to something.
10 Birds with 1 Stone is available for
purchase in Red Bank at Funk & Standard
Variety Store and on-line at Amazon.com
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