What Is Your Perceived Self-Worth?

Do you know just how great you are?

To define self-worth would go something like this: The sense of one’s own value or worth as a person. So what exactly does that mean and how can we embrace it and live it?

Here are 7 ways you know you have a positive sense of self-worth (list  adapted from happymelly.com).

SELF-WORTH VALUE #1: YOU HAVE POSITIVE SELF-ESTEEM.

You believe in and like yourself. Self-esteem is confidence in one’s own worth or abilities. You are comfortable with who you are — your weight, height, and everything that makes and represents you. You are confident in the work you deliver and your sense of professionalism. You like and have a great relationship with people. Without positive self-esteem it would be difficult to know your value.

SELF-WORTH VALUE #2: YOU RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE.

When you know your value, you will confidently approach life with full belief in your knowledge, skills, and experience and the difference you can make. For example if you help a client introduce a new process within their organization, you are not too consumed by the process used but in how much they have benefited. Have they had an increase in sales or productivity or have they saved money? Or it might be that you’re the main carer for a disabled or elderly relative and your presence and support is invaluable.

SELF-WORTH VALUE #3: YOU SEE YOURSELF AS A PEER.

In any given situation, knowing your value means feeling that you are an equal with anyone you interact with: clients, bosses, colleagues, or friends. You are not a supplicant. Nor do you feel privileged to be with someone or to work in a particular type of organization. You have a personal sense of value and deservedness and assert yourself as an equal in personal and business relationships.

SELF-WORTH VALUE #4: YOU DO NOT UNDERCHARGE FOR YOUR SERVICES.

Quite often out of fear of losing business or the desire to win more business, people will undercharge for their services. This is a classic situation where they end up doing much more than they’re paid to do. But, somehow, in a desire to prove themselves, these people still feel that they are not doing enough in relation to how much they are being paid. This can set a precedent which could be hard to remove. I recall many years ago driving to a client site and deep inside I was unhappy and annoyed. This was because I was hugely undercharging and unhappy with myself for continually doing so. 

SELF-WORTH VALUE #5:YOU ARE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR VALUES.

You know your boundaries. You are clear about what is acceptable behavior, how you like to be treated and spoken to, and you have the courage to speak out when necessary. You don’t need external validation to prove your value — instead, you have an internal compass of what is right and wrong.

SELF-WORTH VALUE #6: YOU ARE ENGAGED IN WORK THAT IS EXCITING AND FULFILLING.

When you are involved in work that is fulfilling as well as financially rewarding, you are more inclined to work with even greater commitment. I believe that when you love what you do, you are prepared to do more and to become more.

SELF-WORTH VALUE #7: YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH.

When you pitch for new business, you believe that you have sufficient experience and have the qualifications, case studies, and testimonials to back them up. You don’t need another certification, course, degree, or further experience for validation before you feel you are good enough. You simply are.

Some of these indicators may resonate with you and others may not, but, in my view, being clear about your value leads to a greater sense of clarity and confidence about who you are and what you stand for. This can be in your personal life as well as in business. This confidence will be reflected in how you interact with people, deliver your service, and in the fees you charge or the salary you earn. People who are confident and believe in themselves stand out.

Here is a suggestion; for the next seven days, use the above list and write down how many ways you value yourself. Be honest. From your list select an area where you may not feel valued or would like to change, and ask yourself this question: If I valued myself more, what would I do in this situation? Who would I be and what would be the first step I would take in asserting my self-worth? The purpose of this exercise it to encourage you to recognize the qualities that lie within you and the areas that you need to work on.

Remind yourself every day that you are worthy and have value.

XO,

Dana