I recently got a flat tire. Luckily it was on our driveway. Even better, Arturo was home. Here’s the thing. Neither one of us is good at changing tires. And I could have done it myself. But It meant a lot to me that he stuck around to help me figure it out. Such acts of kindness always remind me of a book I love, The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann, which outlines five laws of success. The first is especially powerful:
The Law of Value: Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.
This principle extends far beyond business—it’s a life lesson.
Marriage
Imagine a relationship where your worth is measured by how much more you give than you take. Instead of arguing over who has to wash the dishes, imagine joyfully competing over who gets to serve their partner by doing them.
Parenting
What if raising children wasn’t about how they reflect on us, but about shaping them into responsible, kind, and resilient adults? It’s not about embarrassment or control, but about equipping them to thrive on their own.
Friendship
Picture friendships where we don’t wait for invitations but take the lead—sending flowers, making the call, or hosting the gathering. True value comes from showing up without being asked.
The law of value reminds us that our worth isn’t defined by how others treat us, but by the value we choose to bring. We don’t have to wait for someone else to initiate; we can step forward first. And in doing so, we discover the joy of giving freely—because giving is who we are.