Know Your Worth
A man I knew many years ago once asked me a question after we had enjoyed a powerful performance by the Russian Ballet. He said, "There is a hair's breadth of talent different between the star and a starving chorus dancer. Do you know what makes a star dancer a star?" While I fumbled for an answer, he replied, "The difference is belief in himself, a presence and a determination and yes, a hair's breadth of talent." But it's not talent that made the dancer a star. It was his absolute belief in himself, in his worthiness to be center stage.
Sam Donaldson learned this lesson early in his career. In his book Hold On, Mr. President Mr. Donaldson tells a story about the value of knowing your worth. When he desperately needed a job, Donaldson heard the legendary oil striker H. L. Hunt was looking for a writer for H.L.H Products. Donaldson applied for the job hoping to work for his hero.
Hunt's secretary called to tell him he was the leading candidate. After Donaldson was ushered into Hunt's office, Hunt asked how cheaply he would work. Donaldson thought his answer was brilliant. He said "I want very much to work for you, so I'll work for whatever you think the job is worth to start." Hunt dismissed him.
When Hunt's secretary called Donaldson a few days later, she told him he didn't get the job. "When Mr. Hunt asked you how cheap you will work, he expected you to name your price." She explained, "Mr. Hunt believes that if a man doesn't know his own worth, he isn't worth anything." That day Donaldson learned a lesson super-confident people intuitively know. If you want good things, you have to know your worth and ask for it. Sam Donaldson went on to a very successful TV career, taking the lesson to heart and no longer fearing to ask for what he wanted.
At this time of year, it is traditional to begin looking forward to a new beginning, a new prosperous opportunity, but before moving so quickly to 2008, take some time to celebrate your worthy accomplishments from this year.
You can begin by answering the questions below. Take time to celebrate YOU and how much you have grown and changed in just one year.
- What did you accomplish this year?
- What worked for you this year?
- What did not work for you this year?
- What did you learn this year?
- Who do you need to forgive and for what?
Joyous Prosperity,
Marilyn August,
Business Advisor/Wealth Coach
