Someone once said, “Know your worth, then add tax.” Knowing your self-worth is not merely a buzzword; it’s a powerful tool that empowers us to navigate life’s challenges, pursue our dreams and foster healthy relationships. Join me as we delve into the depths of self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-love. Learn why recognizing our worth is crucial to leading a fulfilling and authentic life.
The Most Important Components
1. Cultivating Supportive Relationships
One of the most important components of achieving success, whether personally or professionally, is having a high level of self-worth. For some of us, it comes naturally; meanwhile, others work hard to cultivate it. I would like to say that I am one of those to whom it comes naturally, but, sometimes, a good internal peptalk is needed. Good thing is, my optimistic outlook on life and positive feelings about myself help with that self-talk. Then again, I can also always turn to my group of #AVBesties to pump me up.
2. Embrace Individuality
Society often imposes a set of standards and expectations on women, leading us to question our worth when we don’t fit into predefined molds. Each of us has a unique blend of talents, passions, strengths and quirks. Embracing our authentic selves allows us to celebrate our differences, honor our passions and find our true purpose in life.
3. Valuing Inner Strengths
As women, we possess incredible emotional intelligence, empathy and intuition. Self-worth is not about your accomplishments, job title, income, degrees or looks. People constantly obsess over those things, but here’s the bottom line: Self-worth is the value you place on yourself. Your self-worth is your responsibility and your internal sense of being capable and bringing value to the table. For me, knowing my self-worth leads to increased self-confidence. That feeling of self-worthiness improves my productivity, makes me confident enough to face those hard tasks and helps me work more cohesively with my colleagues.
4. Equality by the Numbers
When you have a high level of self-worth, you trust your own judgment and make better decisions. It can give you that confidence to ask for a pay raise or a promotion, or to focus on getting a new job. In the same way that “no one can make you feel inferior without your consent,” it’s a personal responsibility to advocate for your worth and value. This is especially true when you consider that the national average reflects that women earn only 84% of what their male counterparts make.
Standing up for your self-worth and demanding what you deserve shouldn’t be considered selfish. On the contrary, opening that door or smashing that glass ceiling sets a precedent for the women who follow behind you. If you find yourself needing the inspiration to pursue equal pay, remember that it’s not just for you but also to close that 20% pay gap and progress toward a more equitable world.
What we can find in studies and articles on women’s labor is that there actually isn’t any tangible reason that women are underpaid and undervalued. From the looks of it, women are just more likely than men to accept less — possibly because we are happy even to be offered a seat at the table. This cognitive dissonance of accepting pay that’s less than what we truly deserve might only be cured on the grassroots level: women demanding equal pay from their employers. The statistics show us that companies are not making equal pay a top priority or value. With that being said, women on all levels of the employment ladder must be supported in their advocacy for equal pay. This may be achieved by placing more women in decision-making roles.
Maintain Self-Respect, Avoid Compromise
Consider this quote: “If you aren’t being treated with love and respect, check your price tag. Maybe you’ve marked yourself down. It’s you who tells people what you’re worth. Get off the clearance rack and get behind the glass, where they keep the valuables!”
Recognizing our self-worth is a transformative journey that requires self-reflection, self-acceptance and self-love. By embracing our individuality, valuing our inner strengths, practicing self-care, setting boundaries and cultivating supportive relationships, we can empower ourselves to live authentically and boldly. Embracing our worth is not a destination but, rather, a lifelong commitment to ourselves, allowing us to navigate life’s challenges with grace and confidence.
Remember: You are worthy, deserving and capable of achieving greatness. Embrace your worth and let your light shine brightly in the world.
You are worthy! You are enough! Say it back.
Susan Wilhite is a director on the WAVIT board.
