By Rusty Potter
A bottle of water costs about one dollar at the store. The same bottle costs two dollars at the gym. At the airport, that same bottle may cost four dollars. And if you buy that same bottle of water on an airplane, it may cost seven dollars.
It’s the same water.
Nothing about the water has changed.
The only thing that changed is the location.
There is a powerful life lesson in that simple example. Your value often depends on the environment you are in.
Sometimes people feel discouraged because they believe they are not talented enough, smart enough, or capable enough. But the truth is, many times the problem isn’t the person – it’s the place.
Just like that bottle of water, you may be in an environment where people simply do not recognize your value.
If you stay in a place where people constantly doubt you, overlook you, or take you for granted, it can slowly wear down your confidence. You may begin to question your own abilities. But that doesn’t mean you have lost your value.
It might mean you are in the wrong environment.
One of the most important decisions you can make in life is deciding who you surround yourself with.
Spend time with people who value you.
Spend time with people who encourage your growth. Spend time with people who see your potential even when you don’t fully see it yourself.
Most importantly, go where you are celebrated.
When you are around people who celebrate your gifts, they will push you to become the best version of yourself. They will support your dreams, applaud your efforts, and remind you of your worth when life tries to make you forget it.
Positive environments have a powerful effect on your life. They build confidence, inspire creativity, and motivate you to keep moving forward when challenges arise.
Your environment can influence your value.
If that bottle of water can go from one dollar to seven dollars just by changing locations, imagine what can happen when you place yourself in environments where your talents are recognized and appreciated.
Never settle for being in places where you are constantly undervalued. Life is too short to spend your time where your gifts are ignored.
You are valuable. Your ideas matter. Your work matters.
Sometimes you don’t need to change who you are.
Sometimes you just need to change where you are.
Go where you are appreciated. Spend time with people who value you. And always remember to go where you are celebrated.
