Why It Pays To Be Brave With Who You Are

You’ve probably heard the saying “money follows value.” It seems to be thrown around a lot in the business world, but I believe it also has a lot of light to shine on the desks of writers and creatives like me.

Photo Credit: Christopher Michel, Creative Commons

I haven’t been able to find the name of the person who first dropped this token of wisdom on the world, but I believe it was someone who honored his or her convictions and ended up wealthy because of it.

We all want to make money.

Not only is money a reward for the work we do, it is an important resource that enables us to live, rest and grow. But I believe there is something we all want even more than money, and that is to influence others on behalf of our personal values and to be valued in return.

Think about it: we choose the people, brands, foods and music we identify with based on how much they reflect our values.

People will pay more money for Apple products than others because Apple values innovation, beauty and creative processes. People pay twice as much for groceries at Whole Foods and farm-to-table restaurants because they value integrity, quality, and health.

Value is how we differentiate between good and great.

Value is the difference between “I’m not interested” and “this matters to me.”

For example, if you want to have a career in writing, you will need an audience. Your audience will listen when they get the sense you have an authentic relationship with your values, and they will stick around if they feel your values are a reflection of their own.

In order to build an audience around your work, you have to be brave about who you are.

You’ll also need to accept the fact that some people will dislike, reject and patronize you because values are personal and sometimes polarizing. I’m not saying the entire spectrum of our beliefs should be reflected in our work, but I do think it’s important that our most beloved values guide and inspire what we contribute to society.

Now you’re probably wondering where the money comes in.

Fair enough. If you want to be fulfilled and great, then the money must come in second. When your values come first, your work, your audience, and your story will be inspiring and ultimately have purpose.

Your work will matter. And when it matters, it’s valuable. And where there is value, there is money. Good, clean money — and often more money than if you’d tried to please everyone, watered down your message, or put your desire for money in the driver’s seat.

Money is made when we are inspired, honest, helpful, healing, passionate, and true to our values as communicators and creatives. If we want to make money, especially the kind that helps us sleep at night, then we must let our values lead us.

What will your work be about?