Am I Worth It?

I’ve asked myself this question many times throughout my life. Every time, deep down, I

know the answer. Every time, I agree with the answer.

But, if I’m being honest, there are moments when I need my wife’s help to believe it again. Those moments often come during tough seasons, when negative self-talk creeps in and starts to get louder than it should.

And I’m willing to bet my life that I’m not alone in this.

In fact, I know I’m not. I’ve heard some of the most well-known figures in the personal development industry share their own stories of struggle and self-doubt. Icons. People who stand on stages with confidence, and yet, they too have wondered, “Am I worth it?”

I’ve had the privilege of learning from them, live and in person, as a part of the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team for over a decade. Alongside my life and business partner, I’ve attended 13 powerful International Maxwell Conferences, each one shaping me to grow so that I can better serve others.

Let me be very clear: Yes, I am worth it. And just as importantly: YOU are worth it.

But here’s the thing... many of us fall into ruts. Life happens. Stress builds. Voices around us (and inside us) become discouraging. And we find ourselves revisiting that question: Am I worth it?

It’s not always easy to answer.

Especially in environments, workplaces, non-profits, and churches that fail to affirm our value. I’ve seen people receive mixed messages that subtly, or sometimes very clearly, say: “You don’t matter here.”

I’ve watched talented individuals stay in positions just long enough to get discouraged and then leave. (Remember, people don’t leave jobs, they leave managers.)

I’ve seen those same individuals go on to flourish: From overlooked employees to Directors, VPs, CEOs. From unrecognized churchgoers to spiritually thriving leaders in other communities. So why did their previous environments fail to see their potential?

Some churches, for example, experience no real growth, not in numbers, not in spiritual depth, even when the cities around them are booming. That’s not just a statistic; it’s a signal. A sign that people aren’t being seen, heard, or nurtured.

Yes, some people leave jobs to gain new skills or chase better opportunities. That’s understandable and admirable. But I challenge us to ask—are there enough patient, intentional, selfless leaders who genuinely pour into people, even knowing they may eventually leave? Or better yet, who invest in them so deeply that they don’t want to leave—because they feel valued, challenged, and rewarded?

Why do some companies reward a few new hires over loyal team members who’ve already proven their worth?

Honestly, in my opinion, it’s because it’s easier for a company to think they are hiring the success, rather than have a success culture, and even a success building culture. Compare the following - do you want to hire a single person that can potentially hit home runs, but the rest of the team is not consistently getting on base, so scores are often limited to solo home runs or is it better to have a team where many on the team are frequently hitting singles and doubles, but no one is hitting home runs?  Which one is likely to have greater success?  I would rather see a consistent team supporting each other on to success, rather than a solo person’s performance.

Yes, you are worth it. And yes, I am worth it.

This all comes down to potential. And tapping into your full potential rests on three pillars:

1. Awareness

Growth starts with knowing where you are and where you want to go. This awareness may come from within, but often, it’s reflected back to us through others, friends, mentors, colleagues, even our managers or leaders. (Yes, there is a difference between those two.)

2. Strengths

Focus on what you do best. No amount of effort will turn a deep weakness into a true strength. But if a weakness is holding you back, it’s worth addressing. Still, double down on your strengths. That’s where you shine brightest.

3. Choices

You have more power than you may realize. At Leadership Harbor, we call this your Circle of Control. The more you allow others to make your choices, the more your life will revolve around their needs, not yours. And that leads to burnout, not fulfillment.

When you embrace all three, awareness, strengths, and choices, you begin to unlock your potential. And when you’re walking in your potential, you don’t have to wonder if you’re worth it. You know you are.

Before we wrap up, I’ll leave you with one final challenge:

If you are worth it—and you are—then what are you doing every day to live like it?

What choices are you making to show up with integrity, lead with purpose, and prove (not to others, but to yourself) that you are consistently living into your value?

You are worth it. Don’t just believe it, live it. Lead on.