Article by Celeste Giordano
Are you your best friend or your own worst enemy?
The answer to this question matters more than you might think. That’s because your relationship with yourself – that is, how you view yourself and value your worth – has a powerful ripple effect on all areas of your life.
How much you value yourself isn’t just linked to your happiness, level of confidence and interpersonal relationships, it’s inextricably connected to your success in business.
I recently listen to a sermon by charismatic pastor and New York Times bestseller Joel Osteen who talked about the power of knowing your worth and recognizing the source of your value. If you’re a person of faith, as I am, you believe that your value comes from the Creator. Nothing and no one have the power to change your innate, God-given worth or potential. I would like to share some ideas that struck me while listening to Joel Osteen’s sermon that could not only improve your quality of life, but also empower you to overcome obstacles in your business.
HOW DO YOU MEASURE YOUR SELF-WORTH?
Too many business owners and professionals I’ve met over the years base their value on how people treat them or how successful they are.
Letting these external things dictate your value is incredibly dangerous. If you base your value on how others treat you, when someone does something to hurt you or disappoint you, you feel devalued. For instance, when some business entrepreneurs lose a client or customer, receive a negative review or aren’t invited back to speak at a conference, they feel it’s a reflection of their worth.
Similarly, if you base your value on your achievements or material success – how much you earn, what clothing brands you wear, what car you drive, the awards you’ve won – then if you lose your position or have a downturn in your business, you’ll feel as if your worth has decreased. Too often, when a business entrepreneur faces obstacles and disappointing setbacks – an inevitable part of growing a business – they feel a sense of failure and inadequacy that deeply affects their sense of self-worth.
The danger of attributing your value to how people treat you, your sales performance, your net worth or a myriad of other external factors is that all these things can change and many aren’t within your control. When you assign value based on these things, you run the risk of having your self-worth crumble when you make mistakes or encounter struggles.
YOU DON’ HAVE TO “PROVE” YOUR VALUE
I am a strong believer that self-worth doesn’t come from the actions, judgments or reactions of others. It comes from within. The only type of value or self-worth you have any control over is the value you place on yourself. A large part of developing self-worth is understanding that you are innately worthy of love, happiness, and success. This is a fundamental lesson for business entrepreneurs to internalize.
You didn’t achieve your sales goals last year? You’re still worthy.
You received a critical review from a customer despite working your hardest to serve them? You’re still worthy.
You aren’t able to buy your dream home or take your dream vacation yet? You’re still worthy.
Your self-worth needs to be rooted in an understanding that you were put on this Earth because you serve an important purpose. You are unique. You are worthy today and every day. You have greatness within you.
You have immeasurable value regardless of your performance or your income, regardless of the awards and recognitions you receive, and regardless of the level of influence and social status you attain.
Your value is your inner-makeup. It’s who you are at the core, it’s how you treat the people in your life, it’s your integrity, and it’s your desire for growth and self-actualization.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR VALUE WILL LIBERATE YOU TO SUCCEED
When you wake up each morning, before you set out to accomplish daily goals in your business, make sure you know who you are and the value you have irrespective of the no’s you’ll hear and the obstacles you’ll face.
Remember: you don’t have to prove your worth; you are and always have been worthy. Use this knowledge to carry yourself with confidence. Never give anyone or anything the power to make you feel inferior, incapable or undeserving. When you recognise your value, you liberate yourself from the fears, self-doubts and judgments that weigh you down and hold you back from achieving greatness.
Regardless of your income, your accolades and your performance, you are worthy today. As a perfect creation of God, you have a unique potential and purpose.
When you set your sights high, understand your worth and resolve to persevere through challenges, you will set yourself on the path to achieving true greatness.