I was reminded the other day of a story I was told a few years ago. It was about a speaker who pulled a crisp, fresh $100 note out of his pocket and offered it to his audience. “who would like this $100 note?” he asked. Of course nearly everyone was keen to accept it with hands waving madly in the air. “What about this $100 note?” he asked offering a more worn, dirtier looking note, instead. Still the same people responded, happy to accept the money. Then he took the worn, dirty note, screwed it up in a ball and stood on it, squashing it into the ground. When he picked it up, the $100 was barely recognisable but still he offered it to the crowd and still he was met with the same enthusiastic response. No matter what he did to that piece of paper, it still held it’s same true value, it was still worth $100.
And that is the same for each of us. No matter what happens to us on the outside, even if our face value appears crumpled, worn out or dirty, our true value comes from within. Our true value does not come from the car that we drive, the clothes that we wear, whether or not we are having a bad hair day. If we make a mistake in business, or can’t meet a deadline at work, or don’t organise the most fabulous birthday party for our kids, even though we did our best, this does not affect our true value. If you are going through a rough patch your face value may well be looking a little worse for wear, but your true value holds it’s worth.
Most people don’t really know their true value. Instead they judge their worth by other people’s response to their face value. Taking the time to make a list of what makes you valuable is a hugely empowering exercise. List what you know you are good at, what you contribute to others, all of your positive qualities. It could be things like making people laugh, spending quality time with your children, being organised and efficient, a creative talent, whatever it is that makes you the person you are, and is inherently valuable. When you know your worth it is easier to believe in yourself, and when you have self -belief, anything is possible.
By Jacqui Thomas
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