The heart of the matter...

...is the matter of the heart.

When you think about how successful you are or want to become/remain, it goes without saying that it takes more than willpower or "gut" - it takes heart and a lot of it.

Value-add

"Value-add" has been a common term for several years - such that in some countries there's the tax for value-added (i.e. VAT). Well, it's not enough to mouth these phrases so we "sound" as if we're in tune with current phrases...we need to know what they mean and how to be part of that movement i.e. live it.

I like Albert Einstein's recommendation:
Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.

John Maxwell takes it one step further in saying that:

To add value to others,

one must first value others.

 

Hence you must seek and know what is of value - knowing that one person's trash is another person's treasure and vice versa.

The easiest way to check if you know what's of value is how you manage your time - and what you do with it.

Until you add value to yourself,

you won't value your time.

Until you value your time,

you won't do anything with it.

~ M. Scott Peck

“Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.” ~ Jim Rohn

So as we start the 2nd month of the year, think about your values, your value and how you can add value to those around you. You're only as valuable as the value you add.