How We Value Ourselves and How Others See Our Value
When was the last time you were complimented on a job well done? Has anyone ever said, “Your work is excellent!” All too often many of us will scoff saying, “Thanks, it was nothing.” You are told that your committee meeting input was over the top. We hear the praise, however, often we fail to see our own value.
Recently, I was delivering a presentation to a group of clients. I observed a participant in the audience who I had known for years. During this one-hour networking talk, I observed this person taking two pages of detailed notes. This is an individual who has owned a small business for twenty plus years in the same city. She is a pillar of our community. This woman would be defined by most in our city as a networking dynamo. From my point in front of the lectern, she should have been giving my speech. Yet she wrote two pages of notes. She saw value in me. More value than I saw in myself. A week or two later she hired me to work with her and her employees to attract the right prospects and generate more referrals. This was a life-changing event for me.
Working with a client who is making a transition into the non-profit arena, she invited a number of her associates to participate in a two-hour brainstorming session on how to feed the homeless. When asked to participate, most were humbled by her request, and many stated that they had little to offer. When the group was together, each individual excelled in what they brought to the table. It was a powerful meeting with exceptional results.
As we grow in our place of expertise, often we do not realize what we bring to the table. We are so close to the things we do and create frequently that we see little value or uniqueness in what we do. Those who are closest to us also have a limited perspective on what our value is to others. We might be the best providers, yet because our “significant others” are so close to us, often they lose sight of our true value.
The purpose of this article is to look beyond the immediate value to ourselves and to those who are closest to us. Look to those who hold us in higher regard. It is important to recognize with humility our successes. I am not suggesting blowing your horn, hailing your success and value. I am suggesting that you listen to praise directed your way, and accessing the value of the comments.
I have heard it said that we are doomed to failure once we start believing the good things that are said or written about us. That may very well be true. There is an area between boasting and humility that is a fine line. I am suggesting you recognize your strengths and continue to work toward strengthening them. Use your skills for the better good of your fellow man. Stand up and be considered an expert in your field based on the hard work that you put into your chosen work.
Recognize your value and share it where it can help. Develop your talents in areas where others can benefit from your hard work. Become a leader once you recognize how you can lead. Take leadership roles in non-profits, community and business organizations. Support roles should be considered where you want to learn more. Add to your talents by writing books and articles. Become a public speaker.
Teach yourself to recognize your success and your ability to lead in your chosen field of expertise. Give yourself credit where others think it is due. You will find that when used with humility the upside will be a stronger support of doing more good.
Gerry Rose runs INTEGRITY Networking Solutions in Oceanside, CA. He works with realtors who want to attract the right prospects and their affinity partners who want to generate more referrals. More than 10,000 businesses have been presented the INTEGRITY Networking Solutions system in San Diego, Riverside, and Orange Counties.
Gerry’s stimulating presentation Unlimited Prospects, Unlimited Referrals is ideally suited for small business owners, home-based businesses, and independent professionals who want clearer direction and want to attract more prospects, develop dynamic systems, and strengthen their companies’ accountability. Gerry does one on one consulting, conducts a range of keynote speeches from thirty minutes to full-day education workshops.
His books, Unlimited Prospects, Unlimited Referrals, 101 Tips to Attract Prospects, 101 Tips to Generate Referrals and Unlimited Prospects, Unlimited Referrals, Giving Your Clients What They WANT, So You Get What You WANT are currently available. Unlimited Prospects, Unlimited Referrals, Using Your Time, Energy, and Creativity to Create Value, will be available in 2006.
Gerry has more than 20 years’ experience directing business owners how to grow their businesses. He is a networking dynamo. Those who know him will assure you that he does a great job of bringing people together—which is why he started Integrity.
Involved with networking organizations since 1984, Gerry is an Accomplished Toastmaster, a member of Toastmaster International, and has chaired numerous chambers of commerce and non-profit organizations.
Are you truly committed to attracting the right prospects and generate more referrals? If so then contact INTEGRITY Networking Solutions for availability and information. You can contact Gerry by mail at 1610 Quiet Hills Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056. Direct dial (760) 439-4623; e-mail to gerry@integritysd.com. For more information, go to www.integritysd.com
