The Law of the Mirror — Seeing Your Value Before Adding It
Recently, I’ve been reading The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by my favorite author, John Maxwell.
If clever and smart could take human form, in my world, it would be him.
I highly recommend reading all his books—they are rich with wisdom that will transform your perspective on life, leadership, and personal growth.
Among the many powerful principles in this particular book, one law resonated deeply with me: The Law of the Mirror. While I encourage you to explore all the laws Maxwell shares, this one struck a special chord within me—and I believe it’s worth sharing.
The Law of the Mirror
You must see value in yourself to add value to yourself. — John Maxwell
Take a moment to read that again. You must see value in yourself… before you can add value to yourself.
And here’s the truth that hit me: before we think about adding value to others, we must first ask—are we adding value to ourselves? If we have not invested in our own growth, confidence, and well-being, how can we truly pour into others?
The reality is simple: if you haven’t built your own value, you won’t have much to give away.
The Power of Self-Value
Too often, we focus so much on being there for others that we completely neglect ourselves. But this has to change—starting today.
Your self-image sets the ceiling for your performance.
If you see yourself as less, you will act as less, and the world will respond accordingly.
Here’s a sobering truth: the value you place on yourself is usually the value others place on you.
This means your priority should not be to obsess over what others think of you—but rather to take an honest look at what you think of yourself.
God created you with extraordinary potential. If you underestimate your worth, the world won’t rush to correct you. If you want to become the person you are capable of being, you must first believe you can.
Before Others — Start with You
When you add value to yourself, you are better equipped to add value to others. Interestingly, doing something good for someone else often boosts your own sense of worth—and in turn, others begin to value you more. But it all begins with seeing your own value first.
We all want our lives to matter, but it’s difficult to live with purpose if we don’t first believe we matter.
The One-Word Strategy
Here’s a practical exercise from Maxwell’s teaching:
If you could choose only one word to describe yourself, what would it be?
Mine is STRONG.
What you focus on expands. Choose your word carefully, then make it your personal affirmation.
Mirror Moments
A Mirror Moment is when you stand before the mirror and speak truth into the person you see. This is your chance to affirm who you are—starting with the powerful words “I AM.”
One of my favorite quotes comes from Johnnetta McSwain:
“In the mirror moment, you get a chance to be anyone you want to be.”
This is where you create a turnaround statement—words that give you permission to step into your desired self-image. My personal favorite? I AM ENOUGH. I AM WORTHY.
I practice my mirror moment either before bed or first thing in the morning—it’s how I anchor my day. Over time, I’ve discovered it can be a secret weapon against insecurity. If you’re feeling doubtful, look in that mirror and declare the exact opposite of what you fear. It’s powerful.
So, Who Do You See in the Mirror?
That person has so much to offer the world. Somewhere, someone is waiting for them to show up fully.
Don’t just pass by the mirror today. Stop, look closely, and speak life into that reflection. Then watch what happens.
Until next time—keep growing and keep glowing
The HR Shepherd 