In business, we often hear the phrase: “Yesterday’s price is not today’s price.” It’s usually tied to the market—the cost of goods, the rise and fall of demand, or inflation. But beyond economics, this principle holds a powerful truth about the workplace, the human experience, and emotional intelligence.

Think about it: who you were last year, last quarter, or even last week is not who you are today. Your experiences, lessons learned, setbacks, and growth have shifted your value. If you’re still measuring yourself—or allowing others to measure you—by yesterday’s standards, you’re operating with outdated information.

In the workplace, this shows up in subtle but significant ways:

* Performance Reviews: If a leader only remembers your mistakes from six months ago, without acknowledging how you’ve adapted since then, they’re working with yesterday’s price.

* Self-Perception: When you hold onto old labels like (“I’m not good at presenting” or “I’m not cut out for leadership”), you undervalue the new skills and resilience you’ve built over time.

* Team Dynamics: Relationships evolve. A colleague you once clashed with may now be a key collaborator—if you allow the relationship to reset.

Emotional intelligence asks us to stay present, to see people (and ourselves) in real time. It requires noticing the updated “price tag” of value, effort, and potential, rather than clinging to outdated assumptions.

The human experience is dynamic. Just as the cost of goods reflects changing realities, so does our worth in different seasons. Yesterday’s price doesn’t define today’s capacity.

So, as you move through your work and your relationships this month, ask yourself:

* Am I treating others according to their past performance, or their current growth?

* Am I allowing myself to step into the value of who I am now—not who I was?

* Am I prepared to adapt when the reality around me shifts?

Staying aware of “today’s price” isn’t just about money. It’s about respect, adaptability, and vision. And it’s one of the most strategic ways to lead with both heart and mind.

We’re all made out of the same earth. None of us are fixed to yesterday’s mistakes or limits. Just like prices shift, grace allows us to grow, renew, and step into who we’re becoming—day by day.

🎬 Media Recommendation: The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

This film is a powerful picture of how yesterday’s struggles don’t define today’s worth. Chris Gardner, played by one of my favourite actors, Will Smith, reminds us that value shifts as perseverance, faith, and opportunity align. I hope this story moves you just as much as does me.

Youtube: The Pursuit of Happyness

Until next time,

Carrie

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