November 8, 2024

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Be a VAP (Value-Added Person) NOT a VIP (Very important Person)

3 min read

“People who add value to others do so intentionally. I say that because to add value, leaders must give of themselves, and that rarely occurs by accident,” so declared Juliana, a blogger. To John Maxwell, “If you’re not doing something with your life, then it doesn’t matter how long you live. If you’re doing something with your life, then it doesn’t matter how short your life may be. A life is not measured by years lived, but by its usefulness. If you are giving, loving, serving, helping, encouraging, and adding value to others, then you’re living a life that counts!” Let’s reflect on being a value-added person rather than a very important person.

Do you know that while many parade themselves as very important persons (VIPs), you should rather aspire to be a value-added person (VAP)? While the idea of VIP may represent a measure of how highly you think of yourself, the notion of VAP is a measure of your usefulness to humanity and how highly you think of others. While the average persons strives to elevate himself or herself, the fact, as Hal Elrod captured, is that “When you live your life in alignment with a purpose that is centred on selflessly adding value to others, opportunities become abundant and your life becomes fulfilled.” Unlike the tendency for a VIP to want to “accumulate” to maintain his or her feeling of importance, being a VAP is rewarding. Paul McKenna noted that “Money is one of the rewards you get for adding value to the lives of others.” In Brian Tracy’s words, “All wealth comes from adding value, from producing more, better, cheaper, faster, and easier than someone else.” Mlungisi Simelane shared this perspective: “Success is achieved when we add value to ourselves. Significance is when we add value to others. Success is attracted to people of value and significance.”

So, enhance your capacity to add value to others. Know, as Robin Sharma shared, that “The key to a great life lies in shifting your focus from accumulation to contribution… Remember, happiness is the by-product of a life spent adding value to other people’s lives.” Listen to T. Harv Eker’s counsel: “Most people are so stuck in their egos that everything revolves around me, me, and more me. But if you want to be rich in the truest sense of the word, it can’t only be about you. It has to include adding value to other people’s lives.” Learn from John Maxwell: “Intentional living is the bridge to significance. At the end of every year, I take time out to reflect and evaluate the events of the previous year – what went well and what needed improvement. From that inventory, I lay out my next year – how I intend to live, make the best use of time and maximize adding value to others. Success asks, ‘How can I add value to myself?’ Significance asks, ‘How can I add value to others?’ It is your intention that lends itself to significance.”

As you step out, be determined to be a VAP. Never forget Renee Wade’s words: “You don’t need a reason to add value to somebody’s life. Nor do you need to get anything back from them. You add value because it’s who you are.” Bear in mind, as a writer said, that “Every interaction is an opportunity to add value.”
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Prof. (Engr.) Esang Esitikot is a professor of occupational health and safety, a COREN-registed chemical engineer, a public affairs analyst, marriage counsellor, youth mentor, reviewer for some international research journals and volunteer lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo. He works for an international oil company and can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only

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