What Are You Worth?

As I walked down the grocery store aisle, I noticed my neighbor ahead of me. She turned around as I approached. We chatted about the usual goings on with her children. After the obligatory conversation, she shifted to a more serious topic, knowing that I am a life coach, she began telling me how she hated her job—being taken advantage of and short changed.

Being the kind hearted person that I am, I let her talk for a few minutes—then I asked her if she had thought it might be time to move on and find another job that pays what she is worth. To which she replied, "Oh, it's not that bad."

We parted, and I thought to myself, "Why is she willing to settle for less than she actually deserves?" Why is she so quick to change the horrible negative, which is the truth of the matter—into a positive without any circumstantial evidence to back up her decision to stay at her job.

Could her answer be based on fear of change and starting over, the work that would have gone into putting a resume together, or simply denial of her self-worth? I will never know which of these possibilities are accurate—and maybe all four are. This pondering prompted me to decide to write this article.

It is true that some people get paid more money than others, but we all have talents in areas that show off our gifts in bringing something to the world that is worth our weight in gold. The moment we stop believing in our self worth and allow someone else to dictate it for us is the moment that we give up the keys to our lives and let someone else take control.

So what happens to our self worth? When did we say that it was time to give up on the American Dream and just settle for less in life? When I coach someone, I ask the questions, "What are you worth? The answer I usually receive is, "a lot." Then I ask, "How much is a lot?" The next answer comes with a big smile—as they say, "A million dollars." And I ask, "Why not two million dollars." With a blushing smile they reply—"I didn't want to seem greedy." To which I want to reply—"I don't think it has anything to do with not wanting to seem greedy." To not say one is worth two million or even five million is short changing oneself worth and the life we choose to lead. I would bet a lot of money that Bill Gates would ever say, I don't want to sound greedy by saying I am worth eighty billion dollars. Bill Gates would say, I am worth eighty billion dollars and I contributed twenty billion to charity.

So why do many people choose to believe if one is worth two million dollars it is being greedy? It is simple—some people believe old clichés. Money is the root of all evil. Money corrupts. A fool and his money are soon parted. Dirty money. All people who are rich got it illegally. Filthy rich. A lesser known cliché is the taboo of making more money than your parents.

So what do you do about it? You need to find how you are denying your self worth.

Take a moment and center yourself by taking a few deep breaths. Realize that anytime is a good time to start over from where you are today. If you are willing to fight for the company you work for—why aren't you fighting just as hard to live your life the way you deserve? It is your life to live. Why are you willing to settle for less than you deserve?

Take a piece of paper and pen, and write down the answer, 'Yes' or 'No; to the following questions:

• Am I worth investing in?
• Am I worth investing my 'time' in the ability to move forward from where I am today?
• Am I worth investing my 'goals' to achieve the happiness that I deserve?
• Am I worth investing my 'dreams' to someday come true?
• Am I worth more than a million dollars?

Now that you are aware what your life is really worth, you will recognize that you are no longer willing to wait for things to happen because things don't 'happen.' You create them. By believing in yourself, respecting your talents and gifts, and comprehending the value of who you are, the sooner you will be living life in the present moment and putting your plan into action, while achieving the self worth that you deserve.

Success is a choice! You are exactly where you are because of your choices. If you do not have enough money or time or love or companionship that is only because you have not decided that is what you want. Success is a choice—you need to decide to be successful and then take action to get there.

It does not take a miracle to be successful. It takes action, commitment and perseverance. It does not take a lot of money—money is the least of what is needed. Action, commitment and perseverance will draw money to you. The most difficult commodity to find is someone who will take action and persist until they are successful.

Success in any field is difficult. Few attain success without the help of others. Oh, there is talk about self-made men and women, but no matter how much anyone does to contribute to their success—careful assessment of the situation will inevitably reveal that everyone somehow— directly and indirectly—had some help along the way from the expertise of others. Take advantage of the expertise of others so that you can avoid the pitfalls that could easily slow your progress and ultimate success. Life Coaching provides you with tools and awareness that will make your life easier and more successful. Once you have the awareness and tools, you will provide the action and motivation to be successful.