go where you are valued the most
Here’s a short story that I heard a few days back, and I absolutely love the lesson that it teaches. Personally, I found it quite timely, and I’m sure it’ll resonate with many of you as well.
A father said to his daughter “You have graduated with honors, here is a car I bought many years ago. It is pretty old now. But before I give it to you, take it to the used car lot downtown and tell them I want to sell it and see how much they offer you for it.”
The daughter went to the used car lot, returned to her father, and said, “They offered me $1,000 because they said it looks pretty worn out.”
The father said, now “Take it to the pawn shop.” The daughter went to the pawn shop, returned to her father, and said, “The pawn shop offered only $100 because it is an old car.”
The father asked his daughter to go to a car club now and show them the car. The daughter then took the car to the club, returned, and told her father, “Some people in the club offered $100,000 for it because it’s a Nissan Skyline R34, it’s an iconic car and sought by many collectors!”
Now the father said this to his daughter, “The right place values you the right way. If you are not valued, do not be angry, it means you are in the wrong place. Those who know your value are those who appreciate you… Never stay in a place where no one sees your value.”
This story reminded me of the mantra of Nomad Capitalist which deeply resonates with me: “Go where you’re treated best.”
So, how about you, my fellow Successhead? Are you in a place right now where no one sees your value? How about a toxic employment situation or maybe a client relationship? Or maybe there’s someone that you have a personal relationship with: a friend, a romantic partner, or a close relative?
You must first be certain that you are giving and doing your best, and bringing great value to the table. Often, people don’t get valued if they don’t deliver any value themselves. So, you must check in on that first and foremost. And secondly, you must be 100% sure that you’re leaving no stone turned in expressing your appreciation for other people’s value. We often get back what we put out, so you must be sure that you’re giving first the thing that you’re not getting.
If you’re certain you are checking both these boxes, and still your value is not being seen, appreciated, or reciprocated, then it’s time to walk away and find another place to deliver your value.
As Darren Hardy points out, “The right place values you the right way. If you are not valued do not be angry or discouraged, it only means you are in the wrong place.”
Reflect today on where in your life you need to muster the courage to let go and move on to a different place. Maybe, now is the right time to make some important changes.
