When we're underpaid or when we do something for which we get no payment at all, we feel unappreciated. We tend to equate monetary compensation for worth and value and appreciation. But the truth is that the real value of who you are and what you do is not reflected in compensation or in appreciation from others.
The corporate world supports this out-of-balance measurement of worth and value. Leaders get the big bucks while every everyone else carries the load. In many companies the sales people get all the applause and bonuses while the service people quietly make it all happen. And none of us would have the things that make our lives easier if the truckers weren't criss crossing the country delivering it all.
There are similar examples in the entertainment world. the "Big Name" celebrity makes millions while the people who literally put on the show make a tiny fraction of the revenue. Online "influencers" generate millions for doing... what is it exactly?
There are millions of people who literally make the world work by showing up and doing their jobs. They are often underpaid, unappreciated, and overlooked by many because they aren't well known, they don't have a huge social media following and they don't make big bucks. But what would we do if those of us who do these jobs that our culture doesn't celebrate didn't show up?
What if the paramedics didn't show up at the car accidents? What if the police officers didn't show up in the middle of the night when there's an intruder in our home? What if there were no teachers, no foster parents, no pastors, no plumbers, no electricians, no auto mechanics... you get my point.
We're never going to change the inequity in our systems and our culture, but that doesn't mean we're any less valuable!
So what's the answer?
Let's measure ourselves by a different measuring stick. Let's look at the value we add to the world. Who benefits from who we are and what we do? Are people more comfortable when they're with us? Do they learn from us? Do they smile more? Are they better able to do their work? Are they safer? Do they feel more accepted, seen and heard?
All of these are good measurements, but let's peel back the layers and look at the kindness, respect, dignity, peace, joy, hope and love that we give. Those are the things that matter, the things that are lasting and that enrich our lives and the lives of others. When we give these things, we make ourselves more valuable to the people in our lives.
Let's ask ourselves these questions: Do we look into the eyes of others? Eye contact gives dignity. Do we genuinely care about others? That's loving kindness. Do we encourage others? That gives hope. Do we empower people in some way? That can lead to fulfillment of purpose, which results in joy.
No matter what the work, no matter the pay (fair or not), and regardless of whether or not anyone appreciates us, when we give others kindness, love, peace, hope, joy, respect and dignity, we are making the world a better place. When we do that, the compensation is immeasurable because those things come back to us, and they are priceless.
Rhonda Sciortino, author of Succeed Because Of What You've Been Through (featured on The Today Show) and 30 Days To Happiness (featured on Ellen), used the coping skills from her abusive childhood to create personal and professional success. She built two successful social entrepreneurial businesses, then turned her attention to helping others to find their purpose and their authentic success. More info can be found at www.rhonda.org.
When you find and live your purpose, you feel a sense of contentedness that you can't get any other way. The Find Your Purpose Now podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, and many more.
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