Twelve years ago I worked 40 to 60 hours a week. I traveled one hour to work and sometimes as much as 90 minutes to return home. I was discouraged and exhausted, yet there was till more month left at the end of my money. Today, I work from home at a pace I love. My schedule allows me to include time to read, workout, and meditate. I am productive, excited about what I do, and I have more than enough money left at the end of each month.
What changed?
You might be asking, what changed? The answer is I simply stopped trading time for dollars and risked being paid for the value I added and the results I created. You see I came to realize that trading time for dollars had little to do with my value and everything to do with some organizations arbitrary salary scale. This salary scale paid those who produced massive results the same as those who produced no results. In other words, my pay was most often determined by years of service rather that the value I added to an organization or company. As I worked those long hours, I always wonder how the person who thought it was enough to just show up, could make the same or more money than a hard working over achiever like me?
I took a leap of faith
When I took a leap of faith, and chose to risk being paid for results I produce, I also was able to determine the value of what I produce. Imagine each of us can choose to become the best at what we to do, and with this comes the right determine price people will pay for your service. I remember being interviewed, the goal was to obtain a consulting contract where I would be tasked with evaluating a program, and recommending new strategies to change and improved service delivery. Interestingly, this task was identical to a section of the job description, of the salaried position I had recently left. The same job that had me living pay check to pay check.
When asked what my fee would be, I took a deep breath and let them know what I believed my time and expertise was worth. To my surprise with out missing a beat the gentle man who was interviewing me said, “perfect you have the contract.” I’m not sure of the expression on my face, but on the inside I was jumping up and down. You see for the first time ever, I had the courage to ask for what I believed my skills and talents were worth. I estimated that the one contract would take me three weeks to one month to complete. In that time, I would earn the equivalent of 6 month’s salary if I was still at my past position. How was this even possible?
“Do not chase money, chase excellence.”
My mentor Dr. George Fraser often says, “Do not chase money, chase excellence.” To chase money is to settles for a smaller yet perceived guaranteed amount. To chase excellence is to serve at your highest level end expect to be rewarded for the value you bring. To serve is to put your unique talent and energy into the world. The more value you add, the bigger the return.
Suzan Hart is an inspirational speaker, master trainer and author. Knowing that your inner game creates your outer game Suzan’s mindset mastery, teaches hard working, results driven black men and women, to be un-apologetically recognized for their value, financially rewarded for their brilliance, and celebrated for the fullest expression of themselves. Suzan Hart went from physically exhausted and financially upside down to becoming a Black Woman Millionaire. Suzan Hart is president of HartZone Inc and the founder of the F!T is the New $eXy movement. Learn more and claim your free gift at http://www.hartzone.com.