Appreciating and Communicating Your Value

It's a common scenario. Although the specific circumstances may differ, the challenge often remains the same: we professional women seldom understand our true value. Perhaps it's because we continue to be paid, on average, less than men to only then have to prove ourselves by doing more. Or, perhaps it's because we've been taught from our earliest years to value the humble individual--the Mother Theresa who gives, but never takes.

Successfully selling our candidacy to a prospective employer by communicating our ability to make a difference in the achievement of an organization's mission--our value--depends on our willingness to uncover and package our gifts, and to serve them up on a sparkling silver platter. Following are three simple truths you can incorporate into your "silent script"-the self-talk which guides your thinking, as well as your behavior, throughout your career development.

1. You are unique

"Everyone has an MBA.a BA.a HS degree."

"Everyone is a team player.a leader.an effective communicator."

Erase any self-talk leading you to believe anything less than the honest truth, which is that you are a unique individual. No one else knows everything you know, can do everything you do, or deliver in the manner that you do. The fact is, not everyone really is a team player, a natural leader, or an effective communicator, so explore the things you do well, and claim them as your own.

2. You are an achiever

Everyone has a unique definition of success. Exploring your priorities, beliefs and ambitions can help you arrive at your own criteria and uncover the value in all of your personal and professional achievements.

3. You are a worthwhile investment

Whether it's "selling" yourself to a prospective employer, "marketing" yourself for a promotion, or deciding whether or not to invest in your own professional development, be confident in the knowledge that you are a worthwhile investment.

After all, your unrealized ambitions await you.

Action Steps:

1. Identify those things you do well-your natural strengths-and present them as a unique package only you offer.

2. Explore your unique definition of success and measure yourself using your definition, not those of others.

3. Clearly understand your worth, and communicate it to others.

About The Author

Susan Eckert, MA, CCM, CPRW is Principal of Advance Career & Professional Development which offers affordable, comprehensive career support. Visit her website at www.advancecareerdevelopment.com for information regarding free services which include a free resume evaluation, monthly career advancement newsletter and 1 hour career coaching session.

susan@advancecareerdevelopment.com

More Resources

Blushing
Blushing can be a curse. Blushers experience a range of effects, including loss of confidence and fear of meeting new people.
It Doesnt Take Long To Become An Expert in The Law of Attraction
One of our Faculty, Christine Edick, has been the keynote speaker for several conferences for people in the 'career transition' industry. She received this short story, from one of the attendees, which demonstrates how easy it is to understand the Law of Attraction and to teach it to others.
Top 10 Ways to Use Attraction To Build Your Business
Most business people would rather have customers seek us out based on a strong personal referral from a satisfied customer, than go to the expense of mass advertising. It's called marketing through attraction.
What Image Are You Projecting?
I want you to think about something for a few moments. Do you have any perception about what sort of image you are projecting? I'm talking about the personal or professional image that you are presenting to the rest of the world.
How Do You Attract Opportunity Into Your Life?
Someone recently asked me the question: "How can I have more opportunities come into my life?" Good question, but I think my answer surprised them a bit.I bypassed the obvious (and necessary) points about hard work, persistence and preparation.
Is There Something Called Free Will
The statement ""The concept of free will is a fallacy"" is actually fallacious! How do you live your life? of course you live with free will. You decide what to eat for breakfast, what to wear today and so on.
Putting Yourself on the Road to Success
What separates successful people from unsuccessful people, achievers from non-achievers, winners from losers? Are people born that way or do they develop habits as they grow older which determine their stations in life?It would be fair to say that the answers to these questions are very complex ones. It is a combination of factors which include such things as your country of birth, when you were born, your IQ, your physique, your capacity to remember, your environment, your parents, your friends, your associates, the formal education you receive and the books you read.
What Message Are You Sending Out?
A woman phoned me the other day to ask me about a product that someone else was selling. It was something she really wanted.
Maximizing Your Potential - How To Optimize Your Off-Peak Performance?
We human beings naturally have two kinds of state that exist in us at any given time: peak state and off-peak state. Peak performance can be defined as "performing at your most optimal best at this time".
How To Bypass Your Conscious Mind and Program Yourself For Success
Emile Coué, the French psychotherapist once said: "When theimagination and will power are in conflict, are antagonistic, itis always the imagination which wins, without any exception."Then you can program yourself for success by understanding thepower of imagination.
Dont Be Afraid to Let Other People See Who You Really Are!
Do you know anybody that you consider to be particularly engaging and lively? Take a moment to picture that person in your mind. What is it about that person that you find most attractive? He or she may have a charming voice and a great laugh, but it is also very likely that you find their face very expressive.
The Chi of New Homes: Feng Shui-ness and Destiny
When my wife and I were searching for a new Las Vegas home in 2002, we wanted it to have a solid foundation based on Feng Shui principles. My wife researched the essentials and we decided to build a home that met our needs and supported good Chi.
How Are You Inventing Your Life Today?
"Organisms do not experience environments, they create them."-- From A Simpler Way, by Margaret WheatleyWalking down Lincoln Avenue in Portsmouth, I am struck by the beauty of the day - forsythia, tulips and daffodils, bright sun, warm breeze - and the freedom and privilege I have to walk in a healthy body, through a friendly neighborhood, of my own volition.
Four Steps to Attracting More Good Luck
The Luck Factor rips apart the notion that luck is something that just happens. Dr.
Establishing Your Charisma Presence
An integral piece of charisma is establishing a presence, so let's examine 3 ways to establish your charisma presence, that will clearly tell all around you "I'm a player and a force to be reckoned with!".Your Mother Was Right: "Stand up Straight!"; "Head up!"; "Shoulders back!"; "Chest out!"; "Don't slouch!"; are some other things you heard as a child.
Do You Have What It Takes To Attract What You Want?
When you were a kid, did you play with magnets? They were almost magical, weren't they? It was always exhilarating to bring the magnet close to another object and to begin to feel that slight pulling sensation followed by the--snap--as the magnet and the other object became one. And, equally, it was always a little disappointing when the magnet didn't stick to the hoped-for object of attraction.
Whose Life Is It Anyway?
Whose life are you living? Are you living your dream or someone else's?How much of your life is being decided by someone else? Are you in a profession you dislike because it is expected of you? Do you engage in activities you would rather skip, simply because it is part of your "role" as a spouse or mother?What about you? Doesn't your opinion count? It is not only reasonable but mentally healthy for you to direct your own life.If you find yourself in a profession you do not especially like, try asking yourself the following question: If I were starting over in my career, what would I chose to do?Some people retire and, because they can do whatever they want, begin a second career.
Closing the Feedback Loop
In earlier articles, I've often spoken about the supreme importanceof becoming a good listener. I've even gone as far as to suggestthat listening might be the most important communication skill of them all.
You Cant Direct the Wind but You Can Adjust the Sails
Dear Friend,First of all, let's take a look at the meaning of the word "metamorphosis" and how it can possibly be of interest to IT Service Management. Metamorphosis: Noun (plural metamorphoses - say metuh´mawfuhseez) ? "the change of form, structure, or substance, as transformation; the structural or functional modification of a plant organ or structure during its development.
Creating Your Character is Like an Artist Creating a Sculpture
(excerpted from the Cultivating an Unshakable Character series)Could creating your character be likened to an artist creating a sculpture? In my opinion, I believe that character is not something that just happens by itself, any more than a chisel can create a work of art without the hand of an artist guiding it. In both instances, a conscious decision for a specific outcome has been made.

More Attraction Information:

Related Articles

The Friend Crush: Is This Love Or Friendship
He's your good friend. She's your best confidant.
Social Skills Training Can Positively Impact Your Life
Millions of people become anxious and insecure when speaking in public, starting a conversation, or mingling with others in a social setting.There are a large number of individuals who are extremely successful in their professional lives, but tend to shy away from meeting new people, attending social functions, and interpersonal communication.
How to Create a Thriving Prosperous Life
You only have to look around you at your friends, family and colleagues to see that there is an abundance of people who have talents, yet many are held back by a mortgage, a family, lack of confidence or some other reason.Deep inside us we all have a dream of living a thriving, prosperous life, but often we're unsure of how to navigate our way through the issues that come our way, and too many people, too often, give up and start making excuses to themselves about success being for others.
Increasing Money by Conquering Personal Fear and Greed
One of the first lessons that "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" teaches is about understanding and controlling fear and greed. Many people go to work and work hard not to learn more and to grow, but out of fear that they won't have enough money to pay their bills.
Charm Is Good Business
What's most astounding is that the vast majority of business people don't automatically understand the concept of charm. You'd think it would be a reflex, a conditioned response in business to "turn on the charm" when dealing with customers, clients, associates, employees, competitors, or potential clients.
Live Your Own Life
Are you living your life, the way you want to live?If your reply is in affirmative then you must be a very successful and powerful person in full command of your life and the circumstances. However, if your reply is in negative, then I am sorry to say that you are like millions of other people who are living the life being dictated by others.
My Other Life is Exciting, is Yours?
Everyone dreams of a more exciting life or a life that is different to the one they are living now.As you dream about your other life, you know the one, where you're slimmer or fatter or the one where you meet your perfect partner and live happily ever after or you have a million dollars or you pass the exam and go to the top of the class, the dreams go on and on and we all have them.
Do You Have Your Best Life?
For many years I had a good life. My illness was reasonably under control, I had a nice relationship with my husband, I did work I didn't hate.
What is the Universal Law of Attraction?
Most of the time, we attract by 'default' rather than by deliberate choice. We just sort of go through our day, focusing on problems that need to be solved or on things that did not feel good nor seem right.
Character or Reputation
Character or Reputation. When we see these two words together, we often mistakenly believe that you cannot have one without the other.
Maximizing Your Potential - How To Optimize Your Off-Peak Performance?
We human beings naturally have two kinds of state that exist in us at any given time: peak state and off-peak state. Peak performance can be defined as "performing at your most optimal best at this time".
Seeing What You Never Saw Before
Have you ever bought a new car and then afterwards you started to see the same car everywhere? You were seeing what you never saw before.Let me explain.
Demanding Miracles
Have you ever had an overwhelming problem or issue? Was there some circumstance in your life that seemed beyond your ability to handle it? Have you ever called out to God, Buddha, guardian angels, The Force, your higher self, Mohammed, Mother Earth, whatever name you give that spirit? To find an all-encompassing name without prejudice towards any one belief system, I'll just hereby use the word 'god' to refer to whatever or whoever it is that you pray to for assistance and guidance. Have you cried out to your god for help and guidance with some crisis in your life? Did you get an answer? Did you get help?When we get the help and assistance we've just asked for, we assume all is well in the heavens.
The Art of Manifestation
We should strive to attain a desireless state. As long as we have desire, we lack.
Letting Go Of Wanting Your Own Approval
Ever had a time in your life when those closest to youdisapproved of your behavior? It is very uncomfortable is it not?In a moment, peace of mind can vanish in a puff of smoke and youcrave approval more than anything else. This time in thewilderness seems to last forever and when it is finally over thenewly earned approval of your peers feels just great.
Creating Your Own Destiny
If you don't know where you are going, you won't know how to get there. How can you get a sense of purpose or meaning in life unless you have dreams or visions of what you want to achieve? Goals are dreams with deadlines, which propel you on your journey of self-discovery and self-achievement.
We Are All Literally Two-Faced
"Your face is my map to your life." - Houdini, magicianWe are all literally and unwittingly two-faced.
The Self Appreciation Enhancer
Very often when you are talking to people what you really want deep down is to feel significant, liked and important. Consequently you watch what you are saying and are careful not tosay the wrong thing.
The Edge of the Moon
Hello, Moon.There you hang, a thin white sliver that cradles a large dark ball.
Wanderers
How a few people become the worst victims of life's game, or to call it their own fate. How they are compelled to analyze life, wasting most of their time meant to prove themselves in the real world.