HOW DOES ONE DEFINE WORTH?
Recognizing
one's own sense of self worth is an extremely important step in the
pursuit of happiness. I believe that worth is a synonym for
identity. Identity refers to who we are and who we are depends on what we
identify with. So what do you identify with? Identify is also a synonym for
recognition which is why recognizing self worth is so
important. Recognizing what makes us who we are is the key to finding
our sense of self worth. Knowing how to identify worth changes how you view yourself and the world
around you.
If
you accept that worth is a synonym of identity then you can form the
following mathematical equation:
(who we are) Sum of the Parts =
Identity = Worth
Sum
of the Parts: This mathematical formula can be applied to individuals,
objects, and services. Our identity is made up of who and what we
are; in other words the sum of the parts. The sum of the parts
refers to the experiences, appetites, and beliefs that we identify with. The sum
of the parts can also refer to the materials necessary to build an object.
A baseball glove is the sum of leather, padding, and straps. The application of this equation is
universal. To be able to define worth you must be able to measure the
sum of the parts. The two units of measurement that can be applied to
the sum of the parts to determine worth are cost and value. Since there
are two ways to measure the sum of the parts, everything has a "Cost
Worth" and a "Value Worth".
Cost
Worth:
Cost refers to currency which means this method of measuring the sum of
the parts can only be applied to things that can be defined with currency. The
cost of the leather, the padding, and the straps would be the Cost Worth
of a baseball glove. It is important to note that Cost Worth is not the
same thing as price. Price is what you pay for the finished baseball glove at
the store. The price of the glove at the store is the retailers estimation of
how much you are willing to pay for the Baseball glove. You can argue with price but you can't
argue with Cost Worth. A cost valuation of worth can be
definitively defined. Things to consider when using cost to determine worth;
- Tangible-
Cost requires currency and currency is tangible; A cost valuation is
a temporal valuation. Currency holds no value outside of
society and this mortal existence.
- Logical- There is no
subjectivity to Cost Worth.
- Simplified- A cost
valuation of worth is based off of currency alone. This valuation
model does not take into account factors such as utility,
familiarity, or sentiment.
Thus
a cost valuation of worth can be referred to as: Tangible Worth/Identity,
Logical Worth/Identity, or Simplified Worth/Identity.
Sum
of the parts = Cost Identity = Cost Worth
Value Worth: How does one determine the Cost Worth of something that can't be defined by currency? Currency can define leather, padding, and straps but it can't define sentiment. Value Worth refers
to the sentiment, familiarity, and utility that we attach to the sum of
the parts. Value Worth can be applied to anything. Value Worth is
universal and completely subjective. Value Worth is completely
subjective because there is no wrong answer. A baseball
glove will hold a significant Value Worth to a baseball
player. The exact same baseball glove holds a much lower Value Worth to
a Basketball player due to utility. The Cost Worth of an old pocket knife
my grandfather gave me pales in comparison to my valuation
of it's Value Worth. The world would define my
grandfathers pocket knife with the Cost Worth of about $5. To me
the pocket knife's Cost Worth is irrelevant because it's Value
Worth is extraordinary. Things to consider when using value
to determine worth;
- Conditional- The Value
Worth of a bottle of water is much different on a blistering hot
day then it is on a cold day. Value Worth can change due to
circumstance. Value Worth is altered if there is a change in sentiment, utility, or familiarity.
- Emotional- There
is nothing logical or tangible about Value Worth. Value Worth
is a spiritual worth. Value Worth means that things are more
then the Cost Worth associated with the sum of their parts.
- Complex- There
are things in life that can't be defined with currency like love,
happiness, and spirituality. Value Worth helps measure the sum of
the parts in a way that doesn't depend on currency.
Thus
a value evaluation of worth can be referred to as: Conditional
Worth/Identity, Emotional Worth/Identity, or Complex Worth/Identity.
Sum
of the Parts = Value Identity = Value Worth
SHOULD I FOCUS ON MY COST OR MY VALUE?
Price is always an issue in the
absence of value --- profitability is the distance between cost and price. This economic principle that is seemingly common sense is
far too often forgotten when applied to self worth.
- Where is your focus if your self worth is defined by
your job, your bank account, or your possessions?
- Do you lead a cost or value driven life if you don't
learn anything from the trials you face?
- Are your motivations, goals, and self worth defined by
cost or value?
I think deep down inside we all know
that our self worth is anything but simple, tangible, or logical. We are worth
more then the sum of our tangible or temporal parts. Far too often we focus all
of our energy and resources seeking the tangible or the temporal. If we focus
our energy on the intangible or spiritual, then life will be much more
meaningful. If you view the world around you through the lens of value rather
than cost, you will be able to identify your true self worth much more clearly!
One final observation: The happiest people I know care more about their Value
Identity then their Cost Identity. The most effective way to increase your
Cost Worth is to focus on your Value Worth.
