Value Over Success


Birmingham City Councilman John Hilliard says try not to be a person of success, but a person of value. This holds true in present day society. Success is more than millions of dollars in the bank, thousands of followers on social media, or multiple post-secondary degrees. Don’t get me wrong, those achievements are important. However, someone who brings value is much more of an asset than a credential.


You want to be some one of value. So, when you leave this earth, you have something to leave to your kids, significant others, or others in your community.

If COVID-19 hasn't taught society anything, it has showed us the importance of family, savings, smart investing, and true job security. [side note:  true job security is being a person of value]

You can have a lot of education and money without any type of value added; then your presence is worthless. There are a lot of people who are sitting on gold mines. But, many don’t do anything with them. Simply put, value isn’t just having achievement, it’s about applying those achievements to serve a greater purpose.
  
If you want to know if you or those around add value; put yourselves in an asset or liability category. This may seem like a harsh view on human interactions, but it’s definitely a sure way to ensure one’s place in life.

An asset is somebody who brings value to a situation. When you look at balance sheet with this person, you glad that this person is in your life. A liability is a person who doesn't add any value to the situation. This person takes away from what could be an organization.  

I apply this principle in my personal and professional life. Also, I apply this way of thinking with my mentors, mentees, investors, and partners. This way of thinking allows me to understand where I stand in my life as well as others. Ray Dalio writes in his book Principles to analyze yourself from the 30,000-foot view. His point was to take a honest look at yourself and where you stand in life.  For me, this means being someone who adds value and disregarding what people have to say about you and their opinion of you.

I’m not saying to not listen to those who have your best interest. I’m simply saying that you have people in your corner who truly want to see you grow. Keep those people around you and cut those who mean ill of you away. Never disregard your own value if you know it be true. Always be search truth and validity when surrounding yourself with others.  

It’s important to have people around you who are pouring into your life and encouraging. This is one of the ways you can determine your value. See who’s around you to helping you to the next level.

KEY TAKE AWAYS:  (1) be brutally honest with yourself; (2) only take opinions of supportive people; (3) seek to add value via reading and self-education.

~  Attorney Ronnie O’Brien Rice, Ph.D.

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