Did you think of that advert? You know the one, the one with the pretty girl with the shiny hair, buying slightly more than averagely expensive 'products' because she's 'worth it'?
Every month I go to the Cambridge group of Damsels in Success and we talk about a theme. This month was money, and one part of the session has stuck with me. Do I know what I'm worth? Do I appreciate what I offer, that no-one else does? What *is* my worth? We talked about how women in particular often devalue their skills when pricing their business, when evaluating what they are worth.
I often have 'sticky' thoughts. You know the ones, the ones that rattle round your head and won't go away. That pop up when you want to think about other stuff. This week, I've had sticky thoughts about value and worth.
I asked my Facebook followers if there was something they thought they were great at. Usually, I get around 20 odd replies to this sort of thing, and I got only two (interesting in itself). Both were negative ('making babies cry' was my favourite!). I wonder why people find it difficult to express what they have to offer? Why they can't just say 'hey, I'm great at....'?
So, point 1:
Start saying what you're good at and being proud of it.
So, why don't we all have a go at doing this. Now. Go on, write it down. Leave it as a comment on this post if you like?
My other sticky thought, is why are we thinking about what we're worth *now*? Hey, I know I'm fab at teaching my classes and running groups (see, putting point 1 into practice....), but is that all I am? Is that all I'll be? Is that my worth? Or, am I worth what I will achieve later? One thing I'm good at (ooh, another go at point 1!) is spotting opportunity and grabbing it. I never think things are impossible. I take risks. I know that I'll change things up. 7 years ago I was a computer programmer, doing well in a good job with great prospects. Now, I'm very much not that. And in seven years - well, who knows? But it'll be fun getting there - never a dull moment living my life :) I'll be out there taking risks, taking action, making stuff happen.
I sometimes see people that think too small. They get a job, and move up the ladder. They don't see their worth. They undervalue what they can do and what they offer. They're limited by their own belief, not by lack of opportunity (it's there...). And they don't have an idea of their future value - of what they *could* offer. We all need to start somewhere, but where we then go is up to you, and you alone. Don't limit yourself, and don't think too small - embrace the infinite possibility of what you can do. Or, what you *could* do. Explore possibility and explode your own concept of value.
Point 2:
Think big. Task risks, take action. You're worth it.
Let's reclaim the slogan. We're worth more than shampoo.
Every month I go to the Cambridge group of Damsels in Success and we talk about a theme. This month was money, and one part of the session has stuck with me. Do I know what I'm worth? Do I appreciate what I offer, that no-one else does? What *is* my worth? We talked about how women in particular often devalue their skills when pricing their business, when evaluating what they are worth.
I often have 'sticky' thoughts. You know the ones, the ones that rattle round your head and won't go away. That pop up when you want to think about other stuff. This week, I've had sticky thoughts about value and worth.
I asked my Facebook followers if there was something they thought they were great at. Usually, I get around 20 odd replies to this sort of thing, and I got only two (interesting in itself). Both were negative ('making babies cry' was my favourite!). I wonder why people find it difficult to express what they have to offer? Why they can't just say 'hey, I'm great at....'?
So, point 1:
Start saying what you're good at and being proud of it.
So, why don't we all have a go at doing this. Now. Go on, write it down. Leave it as a comment on this post if you like?
My other sticky thought, is why are we thinking about what we're worth *now*? Hey, I know I'm fab at teaching my classes and running groups (see, putting point 1 into practice....), but is that all I am? Is that all I'll be? Is that my worth? Or, am I worth what I will achieve later? One thing I'm good at (ooh, another go at point 1!) is spotting opportunity and grabbing it. I never think things are impossible. I take risks. I know that I'll change things up. 7 years ago I was a computer programmer, doing well in a good job with great prospects. Now, I'm very much not that. And in seven years - well, who knows? But it'll be fun getting there - never a dull moment living my life :) I'll be out there taking risks, taking action, making stuff happen.
I sometimes see people that think too small. They get a job, and move up the ladder. They don't see their worth. They undervalue what they can do and what they offer. They're limited by their own belief, not by lack of opportunity (it's there...). And they don't have an idea of their future value - of what they *could* offer. We all need to start somewhere, but where we then go is up to you, and you alone. Don't limit yourself, and don't think too small - embrace the infinite possibility of what you can do. Or, what you *could* do. Explore possibility and explode your own concept of value.
Point 2:
Think big. Task risks, take action. You're worth it.
Let's reclaim the slogan. We're worth more than shampoo.