By Tam Lawrence
We live in a world that increasingly confuses opulence with impact, packaging with purpose, and followers with faith. Our cultural compass has become so misaligned that we now gauge a person’s value by their wardrobe labels, social media metrics, and their proximity to fame not by their character, convictions, or contributions.
This past weekend, I had a conversation that struck a nerve. Someone, in full admiration, said, “He’s the man, he has over 50,000 followers.” I watched as people gravitated toward another person solely because they wore a luxe label. Not once did anyone pause to ask: What do they stand for? What do they build? Who have they helped?
We’ve become a society spellbound by the shallow. We've mistaken virality for victory and branding for being. In the rush to be seen, we’ve lost the value of being deeply known.
The Carnal Currency of Today
Today’s currency is carnal. It’s a cultural economy where red-bottom shoes speak louder than your integrity, and designer bags get more nods than your resilience. You could have bundles in your hair, Jordans on your feet, and a million views, and still be bankrupt in character.
But let’s reset this narrative: real success doesn’t scream. It shows up in white t-shirts and denim. Ask Steve Jobs. Ask Mark Cuban. Ask Simon Cowell. These billionaires, who could afford closets that rival boutiques, chose simplicity over spectacle because substance needs no costume.
The Fallacy of Social Metrics
The obsession with likes, shares, and followers is fool’s gold. Metrics are not meaning. Influence is not impact. You can have a viral video and a vacant purpose. You can be “known” on social media and unknown in your own spirit. True greatness can’t be tracked by an algorithm, it’s built in the unseen trenches of discipline, trial, and tenacity.
Scalability- true growth, doesn’t start with a platform. It begins with a mindset. But many will never scale because they are the very anchors halting their own expansion. And why?
Because they judge. They minimize. They marginalize.
Are You the Limiter in Your Own Equation?
Here’s a truth bomb: the very thing keeping you from scaling could be the lens through which you perceive others. If you only engage with people based on what they wear, who they know, or how many followers they have, you’ve already capped your reach.
The moment you decide someone isn’t worth your time because they don’t fit your aesthetic, you have signaled to the universe that you don’t deserve depth — only decoration.
Greatness doesn’t travel in Gucci. It’s often hidden in hoodies, whispered in silent rooms, and dressed in humility.
Living on Purpose or Just Living?
Every person was born with purpose. But not every person chooses to live on purpose. And while you can’t control another’s decision to activate their destiny, you can control how you engage. Do you uplift or overlook? Do you contribute or compare?
Marginalizing others based on surface traits is more than superficial it’s spiritual sabotage. It places a self-imposed ceiling over your life and ensures you remain trapped in cycles of limitation.
The Call to Rise Higher
If you truly want to scale, check your spirit before you check your stats. Ask yourself:
* Am I showing up for people based on principle or presentation?
* Do I value wisdom over wardrobe?
* Am I making room for greatness, even when it comes disguised in unfamiliar packaging?
Your next elevation may come wrapped in humility. Don’t miss it trying to chase hype.
@The Savant Final Thought:Scalability requires spiritual maturity. Strip away the ego. Remove the anchor. And then watch how high you truly can go.
The Savant is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Thanks for reading The Savant! This post is public so feel free to share it.
