Are You An Underearner?

Are You An Underearner?

I first learned about underearning when I read Barbara Stanny’s classic book, Overcoming Underearning. My counselor had recommended this book, and at the time, I thought she was crazy. I was the kid that loved her toy cash register and the high school and college student that worked as a teller and loved it. How could I be an underearner if I was academically successful and worked as an FDIC bank examiner? Being a compliant patient, I bought the book and started reading it. Guess what, my counselor was right. I struggled with under earning! Like a lot of women, my low self-worth translated into a high tolerance for low pay and an underestimation of my worth. I never negotiated my salary and never thought to do so. I was raised with the belief that you were lucky to have a job and asking for more money was an insult to the person who hired you. Wow, I have come a long way!?

Underearner was defined by Jerold Mundis, the author of the first book on the subject, Earn What You Deserve, as “to repeatedly gain less income than you need, or than would be beneficial and usually for no apparent reason despite your desire to do otherwise.” In other words, to earn below your potential. This phenomenon affects men and women in every industry at every earnings level. You don’t need to be poor to be an underearner. Many intelligent high achieving women fall into this trap. And like me, they may be blind to it.?

To find out if you are an under earner, take the “Am I an Undereaner?”quiz. It is adapted from Barbara Stanny’s book and it will help you understand how your mindset about money may be negatively impacting your earnings.?

Quiz: Am I an Underearner??

Circle the statements below that apply to you. When in doubt, go with your first reaction as gut responses are usually more accurate.??

  1. I often give away my services (volunteering, working more hours than actually getting paid).?
  2. I avoid asking for a pay raise or increasing my rates as it's too uncomfortable.?
  3. I work very hard for little money (multiple jobs, long hours).?
  4. I feel that it’s unfair to earn a high income, while other people work harder than you do for less money.?
  5. I find ways to avoid dealing with money (bartering, volunteering, delegating money management).
  6. I am in debt, with little savings, and no idea where my money is going.?
  7. I am vague about my earnings.?
  8. Recognition and praise is more important to me than money.?
  9. The idea of having lots of money makes me feel uncomfortable or fearful.
  10. I have negative feelings about money and wealthy people.??

Add up the number of statements that you circled. If you identify with two or more, chances are you are an underearner. Even a single response can indicate it’s time to look at how you think about money and your wages and its impact on your earnings.?

If you don’t identify with these statements, good for you! You still may have work to do to clearly articulate your value and negotiate successfully, but your mindset about earnings may not be problematic.?

If you are tired of leaving money on the table and under earning, it may be time to consider one of our Unleash Your True Value? Private or Group Coaching Programs. Find out more by going to our website or setting up a free 30-minute coaching discovery call. I want you to feel as great as I do about your earnings!?

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Kathleen Burns Kingsbury的更多文章

  • Is it time for you to become an independent advisor?

    Is it time for you to become an independent advisor?

    This episode originally aired in February 2024. Cameo Roberson, Founder of Atlas Park Consulting, a Business Coaching &…

  • 4 Business Reasons to Join the Breaking Money Silence Revolution

    4 Business Reasons to Join the Breaking Money Silence Revolution

    Financial advisors are uniquely positioned to bust through the money talk taboo with their clients and role model…

  • How to Make Finance Beautiful

    How to Make Finance Beautiful

    When you think of finance, do you feel like singing? Anne Johnston, founder and managing director of Created, a…

  • Creative Tools to Break Your Money Silence

    Creative Tools to Break Your Money Silence

    The number one question I get when interviewed about my new book, Breaking Money Silence: How to Shatter Money Taboos…

    7 条评论
  • Saying Goodbye to My Friend

    Saying Goodbye to My Friend

    Shell Tain, the Untangler of Money Knots, died on Sunday, December 15th and in this newsletter I am saying goodbye to…

    22 条评论
  • Is there an author within you waiting to be unleashed?

    Is there an author within you waiting to be unleashed?

    The second edition of my book, Breaking Money Silence: How to Shatter Money Taboos, Talk More Openly about Finances…

    1 条评论
  • Let's change the story

    Let's change the story

    Last Friday, I went to see the Broadway Show “& Juliet” with a group of powerful women. The premise of the show is that…

    10 条评论
  • How do you advocate for your value during a divorce?

    How do you advocate for your value during a divorce?

    Divorce is challenging and a woman’s self-confidence often dips during this tumultuous time in her life. In this week's…

  • Rejection Sucks!

    Rejection Sucks!

    Rejection sucks! It makes you feel small, dejected, and like you want to crawl underneath your bed covers and hide. But…

    5 条评论
  • Do you have executive presence?

    Do you have executive presence?

    In this episode, I talk with Anita Knotts, Founder and CEO of Lotus Women's Institute, about how to cultivate executive…

    5 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了