“Giving you a handout will help pay the bills, but it won’t give you dignity.”
My self-esteem was slaughtered when my company was shut down. My lifestyle flipped and my dignity – how I assessed my value to society – evaporated.
Fast forward to 2010. In the eBook, What Matters Now, Jacqueline Novogratz writes:
“Dignity is more important than wealth…It comes from creating your own destiny and from the respect you get from your family, your peers and society.”
By that definition, I was broke. I floundered, waiting for someone to restore my former career success. I expected my imaginary benefactor would offer me the best job I could imagine with an intriguing, prestigious company. But fantasy was a toothless substitute for dignity. It got me exactly nothing.
I eventually learned a very simple lesson:
Only you can create your own destiny.
If you’re sitting on your butt feeling sorry for yourself, you are creating your destiny. If you’re reading this while you take a break from writing a business plan, you are too. It’s your choice.
Do you look around and see others in the same situation? Is the problem of crushed dignity too widespread to overcome? Do you think the phrase “create your own destiny” is too cliche? If so, take heart. I was there too. Cynical, jaded, victimized. But no one could pick me up and point me in a direction to restore my career – except me. You can do it too.
Do you need to restore your dignity? What are you doing to create your own destiny?
If you want to catch up on the trends affecting the working world and society, read the eBook, What Matters Now.
Laurie Phillips writes for and about businesses. She likes to ride motorcycles because it’s life without a safety net. Follow her on Twitter at @ljp26.
photo courtesy of Darren Stone
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