What Am I Worth?

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.