Calculate personal value differently.

There was a landowner who went out early every morning to hire workers who needed labor. At 5am, he hired a group and told them what they would be paid generously. At 8am, he noticed more people needing work, so he hired them as well saying they would be paid generously. At noon, same thing. At 3pm, same thing.

At the end of the day, as everyone watched, the landowner paid the workers, beginning with the last worker hired. Every worker received the same generous payment for their labor.

The workers hired at 3pm walked away fulfilled, full of joy and gratitude. The workers hired at 5am were immediately angry and told the landowner that they were treated unfairly.

“These men who were hired last didn’t have to work in the heat of the day, they only worked a couple of hours, but you made them equal to us,” the men said.

“Why should my generosity, my desire to help others, cause you angst,” said the landowner.

The struggle that we create for ourselves today is similar to the workers hired at 5am.

Comparisons are naturally built in each one of us. Social media has only made comparisons easier.

Unfortunately, personal value is calculated the same way that one values anything else in life, by looking at the market. One calculates their own personal value by measuring their life, their marriage, their title, their bank account, their worldly success, even their kids, versus what they see in the market.

Comparisons kill fulfillment, joy, and gratitude.

Comparisons create anxiety, envy, and anger.

The solve is something that is at everyone’s disposal.

Be other centric.

Be for the company. Be for the team. Be for your counterpart. Be for others.

Rather than measuring your self worth against others, think about the impact you are having on others.

Try to work this thought into every conversation today – “How can I help the other person?”

Maybe it is removing obstacles. Maybe it is a tip. Maybe it is time. Maybe it is an ear. Maybe it is an invitation. Maybe it is an email to their boss letting them know the remarkable job they are doing.

The opportunities to impact others is endless. The fruit hangs very low.

Every person has extreme value, and we each have an opportunity to help them see it.

Impact others. Live generously.