Not all that glitters

The beautiful thing about life is that your view on what is valuable changes quite a bit as you grow up.? Just think about what you treasured as a child versus now.? The chance of that still being the same is most probably quite remote - [ I still think fondly about my ninja turtle figurine, but it has been replaced multiple times over the years :-) ]?

Before we continue, it is essential to recognize that there is a big difference between something having value and something being valuable. Whatever you are considering may tick the box for both and, in other scenarios, only one. It may come across as conceptually the same thing, so how can you separate the two?

For me, one specific question distinguishes "valuable" from "value" - what do you have that, when you lose it, you cannot replace it?? The one thing that will come to mind for most is your health.? Good health is not guaranteed even if you invest in a healthy lifestyle, but once it is gone, it is not something you can go and buy in a shop. If you were to ask me to mention the other items I deem most valuable besides health, I would include things like: trust, relationships, morals or values, honesty, memories (a bit more on the last one later) and privacy.? This list will naturally look different for everyone - the one shared is just my personal view.? ??

Two conversations have stayed with me over the years on capturing the concept of something being valuable.? The first was from a very successful businessman, who said that his most outstanding achievement in life was that his children still want to do things and be with him, even though they are also adults.? From a very young age, I promised myself that if I were to get married one day and be blessed to have children, it would be my top priority for my kids to truly know me while growing up.? It comes down to spending dedicated and quality time with them to achieve that.? And this resonates in any relationship - what you put in, in terms of time, effort, and understanding, is what you get out, in terms of trust, love, and companionship.

The second was from a gentleman called Pastor Rick, who delivered a speech at a function.? He mentioned that he had been at the bedside of many people in their final hours, and during that time, no one had asked to see a trophy one last time, a degree, or any material thing.? They all wanted to spend the time they had left with those dearest to them.? These two examples have remained a great compass, besides the principles I learned from my parents, on what the true essence of something being valuable is.?

I mentioned memories earlier on.? We just came back from a beachside holiday.? Even though it has only been a couple of days back at the office, what I remember most are the memories we made during the trip.? Not how much it costs or anything else.? Despite me and my one daughter's efforts, we did not manage to get the ocean not to destroy the dam wall we constructed :-).? I can still hear her screaming - Dad help, the sea is angry - fun times!? In the end, memories made are the only thing you leave people with that truly lasts forever.

Victor Frankl said, "Decisions, not conditions, determine what a man is." And this is where we can potentially come to a crossroads, especially in our professional careers, when a situation can arise where something valuable is moved down the priority list to obtain something of value.? You may have sacrificed a relationship(s) for consistent late nights at the office to climb the corporate ladder - this is an example.? And I am not saying anything is wrong with ambition and growing as an individual; it is about the journey you took to get there and whether you actively tried to retain some form of balance.? If you looked at a specific action or situation and had to ask - would I do it again - your answer can be a fantastic guiding principle.? Hindsight, as we all know, is the perfect master.

I do want to bring up one additional work-related matter.? I heard the following question in one of Steven Bartlett's interviews with a guest on his show.? And it was to ask your team members: "What are you good at that we are not using?".? It is such a unique and valuable question to ask that can unlock some additional value in return.? The question can also become a clear guide regarding potential exposure opportunities or a change in your career path, but I will not go further into this topic now.

As we journey through our personal and professional lives, it's vital to regularly reflect on what truly matters to us. Balancing ambition with the relationships and values we cherish is a complex task, but it shapes our character and legacy.? Let's not squander the one life and time we have on things that don't hold much significance in the end.