Your Real Value Depends on the Place Where You Are In
Have you ever heard that saying, “A fish out of water is just dinner waiting to happen”? Okay, maybe that’s not a real saying (yet), but it perfectly sums up what I’m about to share. I recently had an experience that hit me hard—like, epiphany-level hard—and it all boiled down to this truth: your real value depends on where you are.
Let me explain.
The $20 Lesson
A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon a story online that sparked something in me. You’ve probably heard it before: a dad gives his daughter a car and tells her to sell it. He says, “Take it to the pawn shop and see what they’ll offer.” She goes, and they offer $1,000. Not bad, right? Then he says, “Now take it to a used car dealership.” They offer her $5,000. That’s a big jump! Finally, he tells her to take it to a car collectors’ club, and boom—they’re offering $50,000 because it’s a rare, vintage model.
The moral? The car didn’t change. The value placed on it did—depending on where it was.
I didn’t think much of the story at first, but then life threw me a situation that made it all click.
My Career “Pawn Shop” Moment
So, for a while, I was stuck in a job that made me feel like I was playing Tetris with my soul. You know the kind—tasks that feel meaningless, bosses who don’t see your potential, and coworkers who only care about lunch breaks and clock-out times. I gave it my all, but I wasn’t appreciated. Raises? Ha! Recognition? Don’t make me laugh. I started doubting myself. Was I even good at what I did? Did I actually bring any value to the table?
Spoiler alert: I did. But at the time, it didn’t feel that way.
Then, one day, I decided to dust off my LinkedIn profile and test the waters. I wasn’t expecting much, but hey, it couldn’t hurt, right? Within a week, I had three interviews lined up. THREE. By the end of the month, I had a new job offer—one that doubled my salary and actually valued the skills I’d been downplaying for years.
Turns out, I wasn’t the problem. I was just in the wrong place.
The Wrong Crowd Can Shrink You
It’s not just about jobs, though. This whole “value depends on where you are” thing applies to every part of life. Think about relationships. Have you ever been in a group of friends where you felt like the odd one out? Maybe they didn’t get your sense of humor, or you were the only one who didn’t think spending $300 on brunch was a personality trait. You start thinking, “Maybe I’m the boring one,” or worse, “Maybe I don’t belong anywhere.”
But then you meet people who laugh at your weird jokes, hype you up when you’re chasing a goal, and share the same love for budget-friendly mimosas. Suddenly, you feel seen. You feel valued.
It’s not that you changed—you just found your people.
The Geography of Value
Let’s get a little philosophical for a second. (Don’t worry, I’ll keep it light.) I’ve come to believe that every person has a natural “habitat” where they thrive. It’s like planting a cactus in the desert versus a rainforest. The cactus doesn’t stop being amazing because it can’t survive in the rainforest—it just wasn’t meant to be there.
For me, that “habitat” meant finding a workplace that encouraged creativity instead of stifling it. For you, it might mean moving to a city that aligns with your vibe, or stepping away from a toxic environment that drains your energy. Sometimes, it’s not even about moving—it’s about recognizing that where you are now doesn’t define your worth.
How to Find Your Place
If you’re feeling undervalued, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Take Stock of Your Strengths
Write down what makes you awesome. Seriously, do it. (And don’t be modest!) Whether it’s your killer PowerPoint skills, your ability to make people laugh, or your knack for parallel parking on the first try, own it. - Seek Out Your Tribe
Start looking for people or spaces where your strengths are celebrated. That might mean networking, trying new hobbies, or even just saying “yes” to things that scare you a little. - Don’t Settle for Less
This is the hard part. When you’re stuck in a “pawn shop” situation, it’s easy to stay there because it’s familiar. But remember, the right environment won’t just see your value—it’ll amplify it. - Trust the Process
Sometimes it takes a while to find the right place. That doesn’t mean you’re not valuable—it just means the collectors’ club hasn’t discovered you yet.
Wrapping It Up
I’m not saying you should pack up your life and move to Bali (unless that’s your thing, in which case, send me a postcard). What I am saying is this: if you’re feeling small, unappreciated, or undervalued, take a step back and ask yourself if it’s really you—or if it’s just the wrong place.
Because here’s the truth: you’re the same $50,000 vintage car, whether you’re at the pawn shop or the collectors’ club. The key is finding the place that recognizes it.
