Well, we’re all getting frustrated with the constant increasing prices of almost everything at the moment. I’m busy planning my wedding and am totally sickened by the ridiculous prices of everything. It seems like it’s not just the petrol price that is hitting the sky. But when you think about it, everything valuable comes at a cost. My wedding day will be memorable and special – so it’ll be worth every penny and every ounce of stress.
What many High Heelers don’t realise is that you’re valuable too. If you work hard, you deserve a fair salary. And you deserve to be valued by your colleagues, bosses and everyone around you. It’s sometimes difficult for us to understand this as we come from a long history of being subordinate to the ‘flat-shoed-ones’. We have many wonderful readers in Iran (yes, I see you in our readership stats!) who I’m sure can tell us a thing or two about it – we love you ladies and support you wholeheartedly as you walk tall!
I remember the first time I knew I truly deserved a salary increase and didn’t have the bravery to ask for it. I was a junior and I’d been at the company for a year and a half. I was adding loads of value, bringing in work far beyond expectation and delivering more than many of my seniors – because that’s how you climb fast, you work hard and prove your worth. I kept reminding my boss of my value, dropping hints whenever I found the opportunity. I was angry and frustrated that he didn’t come to the realisation that I deserved an increase, on his own. I really didn’t think I needed to hint towards it, or mention it. I felt so under-valued.
After time and change, I eventually I did get an increase. I also got a promotion and the recognition for working hard. And funnily enough, I didn’t feel the wave of excitement that I thought I would. What I really realised during that time of frustration was that I have a value that is beyond the external. I am special and unique and I have talents which help grow people and my environment. We all do. We just don’t always see it. For me the lesson actually had nothing to do with money or recognition and everything to do with actually realising my own true value. And you may not always be rewarded to the extent you know you deserve – that’s unfortunately the world we live in. But you must know your value and keep working into your potential, no matter what the circumstances.
What your environment can monetarily afford to pay you is insignificant. The outside dictates what is fair and reasonable and you decide whether you’ll accept that or not. But you should always ensure that you’re treated like a person of worth.
My fiancée’s father is a preacher, and the first time I heard him speak, he was teaching men to value their women (in aid of Valentine’s Day). He mentioned that love has nothing to do with money, but that money is symbolic of ‘hours of work’ and of ‘value.’ So if a man values you he should spoil you from time to time and should always make you feel worthy. And the same goes for us modern women. If you work hard, use your means to make your loved ones feel valued. I think we all know that nothing is as valued as time – so when you have it, give it freely and value others.
When our CEO, Ricky Robinson, started to bring Natalie Maroun (my boss) into the LRMG business, he had to work really hard at capturing her interest. He knew her value and he had to prove that to her before she would consider joining paths with him in growing a good small company into a larger great one. Word on the street is that he showered her with flowers, notes and phone calls until she eventually relented and joined the group – and the rest, as they say, is history!
You see, Natalie knows her worth. She knows what she can afford to work for. And she knows how she should be treated both inside and outside the office. We should all be like that.
So as you pull on your heels today, remember you are worthy and you are valuable. If others don’t recognise that, it’s their challenge. Your worthiness starts with you. Show it and wear it. Walk tall High Heelers!
Cheers,
Jo
No comments:
Post a Comment