Know Your Worth

After graduating in December 2007 things have not gone according to my “Master Plan” . As we all know I am still working on finding that “glam” job however in the mean time I have run into a few discouraging situations. I know those of you that have been equally unfortunate and have had to search for a job in this economy understand that after months of searching and many rejections you can’t help but think that it’s a reflection on you personally. It’s very easy to become frustrated and to begin to doubt yourself. I know first hand. However, through all the doubting I was reminded this weekend that it is imperative to “know your worth”.

I agree and think it’s vital to know your worth because not only are job seekers struggling but businesses are too. Unfortunately that will reflect on the hiring process and what employers are willing to offer and ask of their employees. Some of us will take jobs that we are not satisfied with, some of us have taken significant pay cuts to get by, others have been fortunate enough to maintain their current positions. Regardless of the case or situation when I sat there and thought of all my accomplishments and skills I’ve acquired throughtout these years, and what I could offer to a future employer I felt a bit more in control. To know my worth made me feel a bit more empowered.

I bring this topic up because,unfortunately, whether it’s society or my own pressure- I have become obsessed with finding my “dream” job and I’ve forgotten that in the grand scheme of things, our jobs do not determine who we are. (That’s something I’m still working on.)

Why did I agree to do this?!

I’m the type of person that likes to conquer my fears (or so I like to think). For some reason I find myself agreeing to do things that I am completely petrified to do. Probably because they are things that prove I’m confident and things that I one day hope to be really good at, but for now…I can definitely admit I am not.

I can’t control the fact that I put myself in this position time and time again. My mouth opens up and I volunteer to take on tasks that I know for a fact give me anxiety! Like public speaking, or say… an online radio show… or cold calling! All things that many people steer clear from because all of the above make you vulnerable to rejection, embarassment and most of all panic attacks.

Today I agreed to take on one of these tasks, and as I sat on my chair, drinking my iced coffee I turn on my computer and it finally hit me! This entails cold calling absolute strangers. It was like I knew what I was getting into the whole time but I didn’t REALLY think I would have to (don’t ask why). Once I realize this my body goes into a state of shock and nervousness kicks in. I break out in hives, I start panicking, a million things run through my head but mostly I always ask myself WHY DID I EVER AGREE TO DO THIS??AND NEVER AGAIN!!

However, I have yet to learn my lesson to stop myself from selflessly volunteering to take on the ‘daring’ jobs and here I sit contemplating what tomorrow will bring- having first a radio interview, and then some more cold calling which I will obsess over for the rest of the night!

I keep hoping it gets easier with every experience… So far, that hasn’t been the case-I still panick.

*On the up-side, once done with these tasks I feel a sense of accomplishment!