Equity.
Equity is added value. Something that causes what you already possess to appreciate in number or quantity. We understand this concept when it comes to the value of our homes but what about everyday life?
Over the past couple of years I decided to make decisions on the basis of equity:
Money: Will this purchase add value to me or contribute to the goals and plans I have?
Time: Will this choice of how I spend my time make me a better man, husband, father, friend, pastor, etc?
Relationship: Is investing in this relationship give or take life?
At the foundation of this equity based life are the following questions:
How do I want the rest of my days to look?
What do I want to accomplish?
What kind of people do I want in my life?
These are equity questions.
Let me give you an example. I love reading and when I would hear about a book that caught my interest I would purchase the book. Sounds harmless, right? The real question, however, is this: was it an equity move? If I spend money on a book that I will not read in that season I could have used the money to buy a book that actually added value to my present. I have had many books that I never read because they were not "value" purchases.
Now I only buy books that are related to the project that I am currently working on since the purchase will add immediate value. Books that interest me are still around, however. they are just neatly tucked away in the "save later" section of my Amazon cart for a later equitable purchase.
Life is short and should be lived, strategically, as precious. The choices we make should be choices that are a vote for us and for our goals not those that distract, sidetrack or add undue weight to the journey. So, don't add that which takes away. Don't cheapen your existence, happiness or future for that which robs your time, your money and your heart.
Every investment is tricky and risky because you truly do not know how it will turn out. That book I purchased may not be as helpful as advertised. That person may reveal a different - deal breaking - side of themselves rendering the need to pivot. No choice is risk proof. There are factors that are beyond your control. Your decision to want value added to your life, however, is in your control. Don't minimize this in your everyday choices.
In the end, even if the choice turns out to be the wrong decision here is the point: you made the choice based on a desire to be made better or to experience better. That is, in a word, "equity." When we begin to evaluate all of our decisions in this way I think we will find ourselves asking better evaluative questions. This will make us more deliberate, patient and cautious in our decision making process.
That, to me, is a win even if in some of my choices I have to take an "L."
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