Rare or merely old?
This week, I visited a coin shop to have some old coins appraised. I also asked about some old currency. The proprietor of the shop quickly determined that my paper currency was merely old and not of value beyond the face amount. He said, “Just because it’s old, doesn’t mean it is worth anything. To have any real value, it must be rare or distinctive.”
On my way home, I reflected on that statement and thought how it could apply to people, as well. The 13th of this month I became an age that is, perhaps, considered old by some, my grandchildren, for example. I still attempt to increase my value, however. People, like all things, do age, but the question is how can we become more valuable, distinctive or even rare? Well, it is by virtue of what we do, what we contribute. As we mature, do we make a positive difference?
Being life insurance professionals and/or financial advisors, we have a unique opportunity to influence the lives of others and through that interaction, increase our own value. Our gift is the ability to help people build and protect financial security for themselves and their families. Don’t take this opportunity lightly! What we do is not a job, nor even work, it is a “calling”. We are being called every day to contribute, to make a difference, and to achieve our own financial security, as a result.
Think about how many people you have helped become financially secure. The ability to do that is rare and you have achieved distinction in every case. I think about how many people are yet to be helped.
Our value is increasing with every attempt to engage another person in a discussion about their financial security. The full impact of this realization, reflected upon every morning, is more than enough fire to “get us going” out into the world to make a difference. Remember, the unasked question on everyone’s mind is, “Will we be all right?” You have been called to help them answer that question in the affirmative.
Just because we are old, does not mean that we have value. But, through our actions, in this business to which we have been called, we have the opportunity to increase our value every day. We alone, determine our value . . . are we rare or merely old? I don’t know about you, but I want to have more worth than my face value!