Self-Economics

Everything that you do becomes something else that you need to do. In your doing, if the desired result is not reached or does not rise to societal expectations, then personal insufficiency is internalized, or efforts become meaningless rituals- burdensome activities.

Enough is never enough!

At some point, you must look at yourself, reflect inwardly, and not be consumed with being seen or valued by others. This is not to suggest that you should shrink and become invisible; rather, you should take a gracious assessment of who you are and who you want to be.

Initially, self-reflection is always through a personal lens. At times, this evaluation is manifested in the form of a resume, vitae, awards, or some other employment history or external accolades. Other times, an initial reflection is assisted by a personality scale or aptitude instrument. These abbreviated self-assessments are associated with earnings, titles, accomplishments, potential, or positions. Whether viewed with excessive insecurities or exaggerated confidence, you assess yourself before anyone else does.

Subsequently, assessments are made through the lens of others. The assessment of others is not a reflection of you; instead, it is a subjective appraisal of your perceived worth. Through the lens of others, the evaluation is either economic-driven or fear-based. Economic-driven assessments analyze trade-offs and worth. It evaluates an individual's or organization's assessment of your value in their lives or to the organization. What are the trade-offs in investing time and energy into you, and are the trade-offs worth the investment? Fear-based assessment is a protective mechanism. Fear-based analysis always evaluates you compared to the self-worth of the person doing the evaluation. A fear-based assessment is built on cultural perceptions and social norms. Will this person outshine me as a supervisor or expose unjust trade-offs that disrupt organizational culture or the status quo?

When assessment becomes judgment, it acknowledges the depth and intensity (or lack thereof) of self-reflection. It also reveals an understanding and analysis of personal philosophy. When you focus on yourself, not on what you have accomplished or want to accomplish or what you have and do not have; when you do the hard work of self-reflection, framing your results in humanitarian truths, you release yourself and others from judgment. Liberated from ill-informed or skewed opinions, you are free, as is everyone around you, to exist as an enlightened human being.

Deep self-reflection has nothing to do with race, status, diversity, or political affiliation. I call this type of reflection, self-economy. Self-economy describes how you use and allocate the power and resources that lie within. When you engage in self-economy, all other things will be added or revealed.

Self-economy affirms the adage that you already possess everything you need for success. You are responsible for discovering your personal and spiritual worth. On the journey to discovery, it is essential to silence the noise of schisms- the do’s and the don’ts, the customs and rituals, the traditions and practices that keep you on a perpetual wheel of meaninglessness. Silence those things each morning and self-center. Move forward with confidence and purpose, unashamed, without personal condemnation or comparison. Move with full confidence in the abilities that lie within.

Self-economy, not measured in dollars and cents, empowers you to say, “Enough. All the good is done.” Then, and only then, will enough become enough.