Weekly TimBit– Is your net-worth more important than your self-worth?
I was reflecting recently on the mindsets of several friends and acquaintances that seem to be willing to sacrifice their self-worth for the uncertainty of their net-worth. Why would I say uncertainty in the previous sentence? I don't care how much money you have in the bank, CD's, your retirement fund or any other equity in other sources – nothing in the future is ever totally secure which I'm sure some of you have already discovered.
A high net-worth is a worthy goal to work towards but I would question whether sacrificing your self-worth to achieve it.
What is self-worth?
I'm sure you have read at least one book or article that discusses the value of a healthy self-worth so I won't go into great detail here but the essence of self-worth is when you value yourself;
– more than your need for others value of you
– more than your possessions
– more than the fame or recognition you earn as a result of your achievements
– more than the approval of others
-Self-worth is recognizing and accepting that no matter what you do, accomplish, achieve or don't – that you are valuable for who you are and not what you do.
-Self-worth is accepting that if you fail you are not less worthy because of your failures but better for attempting something.
-Self-worth is believing in yourself and the potential you have regardless of your education, station in life, contacts, history etc.
-Self-worth is knowing that your opinion of yourself is always more important to you than the opinion of others.
-Self-worth is not arrogance or a huge ego, but recognizing and accepting your shortcomings or weaknesses as part of being human.
-Self-worth is earned by living an integrity-based life and not achieved due to recognition from others.
-Self-worth improves when you focus on the inside-out rather than outside-in.
-Self-worth isn't diminished because you make mistakes or poor decisions.
-Self-worth is not the result of success but the forerunner to it.
-Self-worth gives you inner peace, contentment and calm that you are on the right path and all is well no matter what circumstances you are experiencing.
-Self-worth is the ability to look in the mirror and smile at who you are and who you are becoming.
-Self-worth doesn't make excuses or apologize for its life circumstances, goals, values or outcomes.
-Self-worth is always the motive or agenda for goals that reinforce your mission and life purpose.
-And self-worth is humility knowing that you are following Divine guidance into the rest of your life.
I'm sure you could disagree with some or all of the above premises, but I can tell you I have known many people who remained stuck in some area of their life for fear of others opinions, judgments or criticism. I have known several people who care more about the opinions of others of them than their self-opinion. And I have known a lot of people who refused to believe in themselves and their dreams and accepted the goals of others for them.
If you are trying to use net-worth to improve your self-worth I will guarantee that at some point you will experience disappointment.
I don't know how my life will turn out when I check out of here but my Tombstone will most likely say -(from one of my favorite songs)He did it his way. How about you – doing it your way?
Make it a great week and a tremendous year, In His service, Tim