💰Raise your worth

Reading time: 3 minutes & 51 seconds

Have you ever wondered why some people are paid more than others, even if they work the same hours?

The answer lies in one powerful word: value.

The more valuable an individual is to their employer or clients, the more they can expect compensation for their efforts.

This concept was a game-changer for me when I started my journey toward financial independence. I came across a quote by Jim Rohn that perfectly sums it up:

"You are not paid by the hour; you get paid for the value you bring to the hour."

Since 2016, I’ve dedicated my time, money, and energy to growing my skills, and today I’m able to monetize them by giving value to my individual and business clients.

So without further ado, here are six ways you too can increase your value and earn what you deserve at work or in business.

#1: Developing specialized skillsets

Developing specialized skill sets is crucial for staying competitive in today's job market.

For example, if you work in marketing, developing digital marketing or data analysis skills can help you stand out from your peers.

Mastering your chosen field can be one of the toughest challenges ever. It takes time and requires you to learn from your failures.

Two things that have helped me enjoy the journey of mastery are:

• Working towards something bigger than myself:

  • Reading and applying Rick Warren's book called Purpose Driven Life has helped me find my life purpose! Still not sure what your purpose is? Think of how your job is helping so many people with their problems, and it will inspire you to be better in what you do.

• Matching my strengths to the skills I need to learn:

  • I took the Gallup StrengthsFinder Assessment to identify my unique strengths. Burnout often happens when we're not using our strengths in our daily tasks.

You need to develop specialized skills to avoid being replaced by someone with a more relevant skill set.

Evolve or be extinct.

#2: Communicating better

I've noticed that some professionals are good at what they do but fail to get promoted because they cannot communicate effectively with their colleagues.

Warren Buffett said it best: "The one easy way to become worth 50 percent more than you are now—at least—is to hone your communication skills—both written and verbal. You can have all the brainpower in the world, but you have to be able to transmit it."

I developed my communication skills by joining a Toastmasters club in my area. I crafted and delivered different speeches to hone my public speaking skills as a member. I also became an officer and helped my club grow.

• Find the nearest Toastmasters club in your area here.

#3: Managing emotions

Emotional intelligence, also known as emotional quotient or EQ, is the ability to understand and manage your emotions and the emotions of others.

A study conducted by TalentSmart, a provider of emotional intelligence tests and training, found that individuals with higher emotional intelligence earn an average of $29,000 more annually than those with lower emotional intelligence.

Taking the EI assessment years ago helped me become more in tune with my emotions and those of others, leading to more meaningful relationships and paying clients.

• Take the Emotional Intelligence test here.

#4: Identifying and addressing pain points

Identifying and addressing pain points within your organization can demonstrate your value as a problem solver and position you as an invaluable team member.

Streamlining processes, reducing costs, or improving customer satisfaction can help your organization operate more efficiently and effectively.

You can start by looking at the problems that prevent you from doing productive work.

I remember the time when I was working as a Customer Service support. I'm not too fond of repetitive tasks, so I developed a template to maintain the quality of my customer responses and make my work more efficient. Our team eventually used that template, and then the entire department. It was also one of the reasons why I got promoted to supervisor at a young age.

Again, find something that irritates or prevents you from doing creative work, then solve it!

Failing to identify and address pain points can limit your impact within your organization and hinder your career growth.

#5: Building a strong network

Building a solid network in your industry can help you stay connected to job opportunities, mentors, and other valuable resources.

By connecting with others who can offer support and guidance, you can position yourself for career growth and higher pay.

LinkedIn is a valuable tool for growing your network. It's no longer just for job searching. This platform has helped me connect with industry contacts who provide valuable insights into emerging trends and opportunities, helping me stay ahead of the curve.

Here are some things you can do to build a strong network of industry experts on LinkedIn:

• Follow the leaders/influencers in your industry

• Engage with their posts

• Send personalized connection requests

• Ask questions to show you're interested in their work

Eventbrite is another platform where I find networking events related to my industry.

The network I've built over these years is one of the main reasons people want to partner with me. I firmly believe that a good relationship with industry leaders, high-value clients, or organizations dramatically increases your value.

On the other hand, not building a network can limit your access to valuable resources and opportunities.

#6: Building a personal brand

Building a personal brand can help you stand out and position yourself for career advancement.

Although having a social media presence can be a plus, you don't need to be a social media influencer to build a solid personal brand.

Building a personal brand is just:

• Honoring your word

• Showing up every day

• Being a person of integrity

• Being consistent with your intentions and actions

Aim to be top of mind when the upper management or industry leaders look for people they can rely on when the going gets tough. By establishing yourself as someone anyone can trust, you can increase your value to your employer and attract new career opportunities.

By following these six strategies, you can increase your value at work or in business and position yourself for career growth and financial security.

Instead of complaining about not being paid enough, focus on increasing your value to the marketplace. Though your employer may still not give you the raise you think you deserve, trust that the job market will reward those who provide tremendous value to them.

There's no way you can lose when you invest in increasing your value.

Since you made it to the very end, here’s the link of Jim Rohn’s talk about increasing your value in the marketplace.

Enjoy!

Ready to grow your value so you can build your wealth?

Whenever you’re ready, here are two ways I can help you:

• 1-on-1 Personalized Coaching: A three-session coaching program where we’ll discuss your financial goals, build your own money management system, improve your money habits and guide you on how to invest on your own.

• Group Coaching: Four live 60-minute zoom calls that will guide the students on the step-by-step guide to improve their finances.

Learn more by scheduling a 30-minute discovery call here.