Sunday, 03 March 2019 / Published in Career Advice, Inspiration, Motivation, Self-empowerment

5 Ways to Increase Your Value

Photo Credit: Lindsay B. Garvin

One of my favorite quotes says: “Your value does not decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.”-Zig Ziglar and another is “A weed is a plant whose virtue has yet to be discovered.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Both quotes resonate with me because they recognize value apart from bias, near-sided judgement and lack of vision for human potential. Too often we allow others to define or depreciate our value, but if we were honest we would admit that we are our worst critics and value depreciators!

A good example is when someone gives you a compliment and say that you did a great job at something, we often turn around and point out some of the things we did not do well. I can remember specifically last year when I sung the national anthem for a college graduation when someone told me that I did a good job and I pointed out how I could have hit one of the notes better or times when someone has told me that I look nice and I pointed out some of my flaws. I think you get the point!

Although there is no shortage of people with over-inflated egos, I believe the greater problem is that many don’t understand or appreciate their value!

If we were to realize just 50% of our potential, the things we could do would blow our minds!
There would be cures for diseases, neighborhoods revitalized, businesses started, and more people would be living their passion and purpose!

I believe there are many roots to these sometime conscious and often unconscious esteem issues that are caused by negative childhood and adult experiences, comparing ourselves to others and not really taking the time to meditate and discover our God given talents and abilities!

If you are currently discounting your value, the time to stop is now! It’s time to take inventory of what you bring to the table now and in the future. Although none of us is perfect, we all have value. What you bring to the table is different from what I bring and that is OK…that is the value of diversity!
Well, you may be asking what can I do to increase my value? Well, I am glad that you asked.

5 Ways to Increase Your Value

Give Yourself More Grace-Although there is nothing wrong with having high expectations for yourself, allow yourself to make mistakes and except that you are imperfect. Although perfectionism is often celebrated in our society, it can be the kryptonite that hampers your ability to see the bigger picture and do greater things. Check out my article: Why Grace Matters.
Have an Asset Mindset-Yes, we all have shortcomings, but focus on and leverage your strengths. Although it is important to know your weaknesses, your focus should be on your strengths. When you focus on what you don’t have you depreciate what you do have. Continue to focus on and take inventory of your strengths and leverage them to propel you forward. Maintain positive thoughts and have affirming words and phrases to recite and meditate on when negative thoughts come to mind. Check out my article: Your Thoughts Matter.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others! -Comparing ourselves to others is one of the worst mistakes you can make. Everyone is a designer original with a unique function and place in this world. You just need to find out where your niche is and where you fit and be that which you were created to be. Focus on becoming the best version of yourself! When you do that you will be on the road to greatness. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy” and I would add “a thief to success!”
Have Faith-I will never discount hard work as it is an important ingredient in any success. However, great things happen when you believe anything is possible for yourself and can visualize and believe in your success before it comes to fruition. You must believe that greater is coming and that you can do anything. If you believe it…you can achieve it!
No Discounts Please!-Stop selling yourself short. Sometimes things happen in life that diminish our value, like losing a job or working in a toxic work environment. You need to be confident about what you bring to the table and not settle because others have made you feel like you are worthless. You need to believe that you have a purpose and value and deserve to be compensated for it. And please stop discounting your value with negative thoughts! No discounts please!

I hope this article will give you some things to think about. As you go about your day and week make sure that you stop discounting your value and stop letting others do the same. Don’t be afraid to go for that job promotion or business opportunity. And when you do…make sure that you leverage your value!

Remember, Greatness Awaits You!