How to Increase Your Value

Originally Posted in October of 2019

Soon after graduating from school, I moved to the arctic of Alaska to run my first chiropractic clinic. I was 24 years old and grateful for the opportunity to be of service to the First Nations community there and the chance to pay back my student loans and create a small nest egg for the future.

My work days were long and it was mostly a lonely existence - back then, even a phone call home to Canada was $2 a minute, so most of my down time was spent reading, writing, and making plans for the future.

Earning over six figures a year was a dream come true. In a little less than two years, I was able to pay back all of my student loans and help my family in Toronto with their finances in a meaningful way. I could have stayed there a few more years to build a larger nest egg of savings, but with the weight of pressing financial pressure lifted from my shoulders, I felt a strong calling to move on to new experiences and more learning.

I used a good portion of my savings to spend the next 4-5 years between Ohio, California, Korea, and Toronto pursuing my interests, first with water fasting and then to improve upon my Korean language skills.

So from about 26 to 30 years of age, I made little to no income. During that time, I remember feeling like I was falling behind. I wondered if I was being foolish in following my interests rather than working to make as much money as I could.

Looking back at those years of self-directed learning where the syllabus was dictated by my heart, I am immensely grateful that I was led to spend my time and resources as I did. That period was absolutely vital in shaping my vision of the person I wanted to be and how I wanted to spend my life. Without realizing it, I was able to develop valuable skills that have allowed me to experience much fulfillment since.

The point I wish to share is this: my experiences have taught me that the best investment we can make is in our own development. As Kyle Cease so beautifully puts it, “your true value is how closely connected you are to yourself. You are increasing your value if you are getting to know yourself better.”

This isn’t to suggest that we ignore responsibilities we have in managing our finances or caring for dependents. Rather, it’s to point out that beyond meeting these foundational responsibilities, our next greatest priority should be on becoming more aligned with all that rings true for us. When we use our time and resources to pursue things we feel a connection to, we become more whole and capable of adding value to everything and everyone around us.

Living with this mindset can be challenging if we surround ourselves with people who put their focus on comparing themselves with others. There can be a toxicity to camouflaged and overt displays of status and accomplishment. If we want to more closely align with all that is truly meaningful to us, it is vital that we not give our energy to those who find satisfaction in regularly comparing and peacocking.

If the ideas of investing in yourself and being more closely aligned to your core values are appealing, here’s a suggestion to consider:

Every day, aim to do at least one thing that delights you. Be it taking a nap, going to a hot yoga class, taking a hike, treating yourself to a meal you love, sending a note of appreciation to a friend, doing something kind for another living creature, or anything else that you simply don’t have to justify doing because it deeply nourishes you.

Over time, as we choose to spend more of our most important resources on being closely aligned with things that really matter to us, we gain access to so much more of our potential to receive and give.

If your 18-year old self were to ask you what he or she could do to increase their value, how would you respond? What general guidance would you give to your younger self, knowing all that you do now? Please consider sharing in the comments section below.