In business, it’s always a goal to establish value and divert the consumer from the price. As a consumer, it’s always the goal to find the best value for the price. But personally, knowing your worth is definitely an ongoing struggle. We can look at why this is by examining what we value and the price we pay to be accepted. Price is simple, straightforward, logistical, and no indication of value. Where value is more subjective, personal, and emotional. Ready to roll up your sleeves and sharpen your pencils?
Is the price too high? Are you undervalued? Or just not good enough? Is your value your own perception or tied to someone else’s expectations? Are you selling yourself short?
An umbrella to this entire discussion has to be self-reflection. Only you can establish value and negotiate price in your life. Only you can know your worth.
So if you had to put a price on it or sell someone else on your value what would you say?
Before today or this season in my life, I would have placed more value on Kendall the business professional vs Kendall the person. I put a lot of effort and energy into building my career, honing my skills, and establishing a record of success. Professionally I had a lot of confidence.
Personally I struggled to know who I was. I was a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend but outside of that, I didn’t really know what was important to me. What I valued. Instead of working on that I just put more effort and energy into my professional persona. As a result, the scales were definitely out of balance and I felt vulnerable and ill-prepared. I got hurt.
Six years ago I decided to balance my personal ledger and do some self-discovery. I went on a quest to understand who I was and what I wanted. Timing was on my side and I had just enough age and enlightenment to fuel my journey. I stopped worrying about everyone else and took this quest serious. Now luckily, I was an empty nester at the time so without their lives to hide behind I had to take a real look at my own.
You are good, and you deserve good things. You deserve acceptance, belonging and love.
Sounds right, doesn’t it? But why then can we hear it, believe it, but not let the concept in and practice it?
When you’ve been told you don’t deserve it or you’re not good enough, over and over, it’s not a flip of the switch to change your perception. It takes time and a lot of self-reflection which is hard to do if you are still spending your time worrying about others or worse, trying to please everyone.
Time for a sabbatical and deep dive into what makes you – YOU. Maybe instead of trying to figure out who we are, we gently stop being who we aren’t? How do we relieve ourselves of the false fronts, the persona’s, who we want everyone to believe we are. It’s important to challenge your strengths and your weaknesses. Sometimes you might have it twisted. Being a tough businesswoman who is goal-driven and focused may not always be a strength just like being too empathic and caring about others’ feelings and misfortunes may not always be a weakness.
Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to your character, how you see yourself.
When you look at your strengths list, is this really you? Or just your persona? How could this strength actually be a weakness? Then evaluate your weaknesses in the same manner. After thinking it through, should you move some things around? Now look at the list and highlight what you are most proud of. Sometimes, what we are most proud of is the one thing we fail to share with others. Remember, as I’ve always said, you are growing every day and learning more about yourself as you do. This list is in no way final. So keep it handy because you will have many chances to update on your journey.
Many of us are on a quest to do good, be a good person, help your neighbor, contribute to society in a meaningful and impactful way. What about finding your purpose, discovering what’s important to you? Seek knowledge that will pour into you. As I’ve always said, we are striving for a healthy balance of giving and receiving. Don’t be so concerned with what you pour into the world that you neglect what you should be receiving.
This world and all its opportunities are there for you as well. Each of us has a unique purpose and gifts we should activate. It’s hard to identify what those are when you are so concerned with everyone else’s lives. When you tap into your true purpose your personal net worth skyrockets. It’s crystal clear and you get a hunger for more. Activating this gift gives you the confidence to propel you through the hardships and challenges of life. You know what you’re here for and what drives your passion.
So how do you find it? Well, you need to carve out some time to take this journey we keep talking about.
Living a purpose-driven life will give you the confidence to see your value, and know your worth.
CHALLENGE: Take charge of your journey and chart your own personal course. You have many stops along the way to your destination so straighten out the curves and smooth the course with a clear purpose locked in. You deserve what this life and all its opportunities have in store for you!
I Know You Can Do IT!