“There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it and no happiness in any place except what you bring to it yourself.” —Henry David Thoreau
Net-worth: Your assets minus your debts.
Self-worth: The quality of being worthy of esteem or respect.
As humans, it is in our nature to compare ourselves to others. Unfortunately, because we can only compare the things that we can objectively measure, we live in a world that is great at measuring and comparing externals. Somewhere along the way, we decided that we could determine who is living a more valuable life by comparing their clothes, cars, homes, and paychecks.
Simply put, we tied self-worth to net-worth. As a painful result, we began to make judgements about our own life value by the possessions that we own. But, in reality, our life is far more valuable than the things that we own.
The wages that we earn provide for our lives, but they do not define our lives.
Fortunately, when we change our thinking on this matter, we are freed to pursue a life worthy of esteem and respect that is not tied to our possessions.
Consider these 8 steps to improve your self-worth regardless of your net-worth.
1. Live a life of integrity and character.
There is no greater feeling than laying your head on your pillow at night having no regrets in your dealings with others. Consider the immeasurable value that comes from looking back over your entire life and seeing the same thing.
2. Cultivate worthy endeavors that are available in infinite supply.
There is no limit to the amount of love you can show, the amount of hope you can spread, or the number of encouraging words you can speak. Cultivate these things in liberal supply. They will cost you nothing, but will begin to mean everything.
3. Delight in your uniqueness.
The fact that you are different from everybody else makes you valuable. Be comfortable with yourself and proud of yourself. Don’t suppress it or hide it. Instead, do the opposite: Champion your uniqueness.
4. Give away your most valuable resource.
The most precious resource we own is our time. Therefore, the most precious thing that we can ever give to another person is our time. Make a habit of giving it away to others.
5. Live courageously.
Find the mental strength to accept new challenges without regards to the fear that may lie beneath. Live with great expectations about what your life can become and accomplish.
6. Develop self-confidence.
A confident person feels better about themselves, stands up taller, and smiles more. A confident person does not follow the crowd or try to become someone else. A confident person focuses on their achievements and anticipates their next opportunity in life with excitement. And if you’re struggling with this now, there’s always time to learn how to be more confident.
7. Embrace your weaknesses.
There are no perfect people in this world. We all have struggles and weaknesses. I have found that one of the best ways to identify with others is in our weakness. When we admit that we need help, we are finally ready to interact with others on a truly valuable level.
8. Make the most of every opportunity.
Each new day brings with it new opportunities. Don’t waste a single one. Do everything you do with quality and excellence.
Your true self-worth is up to you. Increase it. Don’t allow your life’s pursuit to be caught up in the acquisition of material things—that makes for a nice net-worth, but not necessarily a high self-worth. And self-worth trumps net-worth any day.
Same same to be covered up n forgot about pain n love n hate n fear same to me I’m as valuable as the president n everyday I love my life but am strucken with self worth value of having money to be IV tried working I don’t have n haven’t had since I was a kid I started drugs before 18 on dope and was a plug to being a enimay to people of my own to enjoying life I did have cause It could n had got worse how do I have my own to become the own value of self equeveltsee to find out who and everythiNg I pOSed to be with wat I have n should not have valued in the same same I need currency just me how is it possible
Thank you Josh for posting this article, it is just what I will need to read daily aging brain! I my pass it along just in case someone one else needs directions as well, Keep on writing stuff. Thanks again
Thank you for posting this, Josh! I read it to my whole family (including my children) and I truly feel we all learned from it.
I am just starting my simplifying minimalist journey and am finding your articles very helpful. Thank you.
Self Worth and net worth are two different things. Self Worth always remains on priority while net worth is a secondary subject.
Life – Work Balance
NOT
Work – Life Balance
Thank you
Very idealistic but very impractical. Such things don’t pay the bills. A man is of little worth if he can’t support his family.
You understood this article to mean a man shouldn’t support his family?
WSJ warrior…? Do you write your own bio
Thanks for the question. I don’t understand it. WSJ warrior?
Great read & insights Josh…appreciate every post. (apparently, a couple of commenters need to read it again!)
Good stuff thanks.
Very encouraging!
I left my partner a little less than to years ago. Everyone, and I mean everyone was telling me that I would have to work and put my kids in daycare and give up ‘raising them’ in order to provide for them. I do continue to fight the stereotype of a single mom everyday but I never gave in to that thinking. My time is valuable, the most precious thing I have to give and I choose to give as much of it as I can to my young children who need it the most right now. I work at a job that provides me with what we need to live and gives me the flexibility to take time to spend with my kids, holidays etc. I have to say no to a lot of ‘money laden outings’ with friends and their kids but when I make alternate suggestions that cost us no more than groceries, they always appreciate it and we have more time to actually talk and be with one another and our children. Not to say there aren’t things I wish I could do but that will come in time. My priority is and always will me the time I can spend with my children, time not the money!
Great article, it’s nice to find others who don’t think my way of thinking is crazy!
Kudos to you, Heidi! As a fellow single mom, I can say with enthusiasm that your time with your children will be their most treasured memories (and yours)! I, too, teach my children frugality doesn’t mean lack, it merely means more variety of choices in life.
9. Be grateful for what you have. This might seem obvious, but acknowledging your current provisions, good health, relationships, a place to sleep, fresh air, food in the cupboard etc makes a difference to self worth.
Yes! Thank you Joshua and excellent addition, Crystal!