What am I worth?

This week is Time to Talk day. It’s also the end of January. We all finally got that pay cheque that we have spent twice. Managers are talking to their teams about ratings, objectives, and soon about ‘pay and reward’ - the angsty time of year where you work out if you think your company values you or if your should take those recruiter calls.

For so many people this is a great time - you get to stop and think about how much you have achieved, and to be recognised for it. You get to tell your family with pride how much you are valued - and what holidays you are going on. But that won’t happen every year - and we are all only human - people can share a million posts about their company values, whilst still wanting to be somewhere else. I should know, I get the heartbroken messages - and in the past I’ve sent them.

I find myself thinking that a topic on too many minds right now is self-worth. It’s something that all forms of social media thrive on - and sometimes exploit. You are probably reading this if I’ve got some value to you - as a current/former colleague, a customer, or someone you are stalking because you haven’t properly researched how to sell to my company. What are you worth? Does anyone care? The dopamine of a connection knowing who you are - and noticing. Hey I see you!

So why waste your worth on reading this? After 20yrs of blue January days, and realising I am now old enough to be ‘the establishment’ I found myself thinking that a few thoughts might be worth sharing…..

What are you worth?

1. You must be bloody good at this - it might not feel like it all the time, but financial services (insert equivalent) is a tough gig. You might not be the golden kid who is promoted every year. Your 3 rating might make you feel generic. But ultimately you are doing a super interesting job and learning. Be grateful and patient. I’ve felt that my worth isn’t appreciated enough at many points in my career - but as a boss I know that teams don’t work like that. I’ve also learnt it’s worth focusing on sowing seeds and not the harvest. Before you know it you will be back in Imposter Syndrome…. Where I live most days!
2. Your worth isn’t your job - you don’t have to read too many news articles to get context on whatever minor issue might feel major to you. I stole a phrase from a wise friend that I say to my team every day - ‘It’s only bank accounts’ - we aren’t doing heart surgery. Maybe don’t fall out with someone over an email.
3. Value the best bits - sometimes we obsess over the hard parts of our jobs, or the people who make us feel incompetent. We forget that they are often dwarfed by brilliant things. And brilliant people. Some of my best friends I have met through work - and a lot of the things I’m proudest of happened at a desk. In management we often just hear about problems - but it’s on us to contextualise that. It’s on us.

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So what am I worth? It’s funny that a few thousand people might see this. Even if it won’t get the traction of dog photos.

I’ll try not to obsess over who reads this. I’ll probably fail. But I hope you can feel some self worth - and pay it forward.

Be worthy my friends!

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Em

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