Written by: Victoria Baylor, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Last year I read the most fascinating story. It was of a woman living in London in the late 1980s who went to a "boot sale", the English equivalent of an American yard sale. Some bracelets caught her eye but she had to purchase a lot of jewelry to get them. She shelled out roughly $13 for the lot and noticed an old ring with a big stone and rusty band. She put the jewelry in a trinket box and forgot about some of it. After 30 years she was doing some digging and out popped the ring.
There was something about the way the light caught the stone that made her think it may have some value to it. On a whim, she decided to take it to get analyzed by a local jeweler. Surprisingly, she found out that the ring contained a rare diamond weighing 26.27 carats and later sold for close to $1 million dollars at Sotheby's. That diamond came to be known as the "Tenner Diamond". Talk about having high value in your possession and not really even knowing it. And that's our topic of discussion for today.
When I hear stories like this I try to reimagine each detail. I can see the woman's face as she first scoffed at the awkward-looking diamond ring. I think about how many times she reached over it to go for something she thought was prettier. I can imagine her look of stun and shock as the gemologist gave her its real value. Imagine how differently her life would have been if she'd only realized the value that she had sooner!
What's most fascinating about this story is that it parallels all of our lives. Each of us has immense and priceless value within us. Yes packed within you are your gifts, talents, life experiences, education, strengths, story, etc. that have the potential to skyrocket your work and personal life. Just like the woman in the story, we sometimes overlook our own value because it isn't apparently clear to us. When you miss your value think about what you rob yourself and the world of.
The reason knowing your value is so important is because I've seen so many people settle for less than what they deserve. I see them over-give of their value and not receive the compensation, recognition, and validation they deserve. Maybe you've experienced this. It's hard to confidently share your value when you don't know what it is or how to talk about it. Part of what I love about my job is helping high-performing individuals identify what makes them valuable to increase their confidence and leverage that value in their work and life.
Here are 4 tips to help you get clear on your value.
1. Grow your confidence
Merriam Webster defines Confidence as "one's self-assuredness of their own unique qualities and abilities". Do you know the unique qualities and abilities you possess? Your confidence begins with what you think and know about yourself and it radiates outward. This becomes the gateway to you seeing your value. There is not a single person that has your combination of abilities and gifts. You are one of a kind! Once you begin to use those qualities and abilities people will affirm them and your view of your value will grow. Confidence is the "fertilizer" to help you showcase your value and share more of it. This is the gift that keeps on giving!
2. Don't minimize your strengths
I recently saw a video of an ant that single-handedly dragged a 2-inch lizard (which had to be 1000X its size) across a patio. One has to wonder "does that ant really realize how strong it is"? What are your strengths? Every woman has one or more strengths that give her a unique advantage. But many don't know what they are or how to tap into it because they've minimized it to some degree. Need a hint? It's something you do very easily and probably don't notice. People likely compliment you and ask you for it. These capabilities can range from how well you interact with people, technical skills, etc. If you're struggling to see yours consider working with a coach or mentor for help.
3. Avoid the "Flaw" trap
One of the biggest hangups people have is obsessing over what they consider to be their flaws. Ironically a good deal of the beauty industry is booming because it feeds that obsession. Self-improvement is one thing but a constant obsession with your flaws can overshadow the internal & external values you have. I find it interesting that diamonds, one of the most expensive stones on the earth, have flaws. They are called "inclusions" and many of them are what make diamonds unique and more valuable. We are just like diamonds, we don't have to be perfect to be extremely valuable. Don't let the idea of flaws hurt your value.
4. Don't overlook life situations and lessons
As much as it pains me to say this, some of your toughest times in life can reveal your greatest value. It takes heat to purify gold and the challenges of life can bring out the greatness and resolve you didn't know you had. So don't overlook them. Even if you made the biggest mistake it can often be the greatest tool to help others. A big defeat can help you begin again but better.
Remember, you have more value than you even realize. Don't lock your value away! It deserves to be on display! You deserve to SHINE!
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Victoria Baylor, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Driven by a profound sense to see others succeed and showcase their Brilliance, Victoria offers expertise in the fields of personal development, personal branding, and mindset growth to help entrepreneurs and professionals gain the clarity and confidence they need to monetize their Brilliance and achieve their Bold Visions and Dreams! She is a Certified Mindset & Clarity Coach, TEDx Speaker & Amazon Best Selling Author who's holistic approach in coaching, speaking, and writing helps others accelerate their growth and push past their limitations. Using analytical and creative problem-solving skills from a background in research science and clothing design, Victoria helps people remove the mental blocks holding them back and create laser-focused strategies that will enable them to reach their audacious goals while maximizing their profits, energy freedom, and personal happiness. As a professional & engaging speaker, she shares her clarity, mindset & branding messages with business organizations, colleges, social groups, and charities locally and internationally. Her TEDx talk, "You Are Who You Are, Not What You Do," further underscores the importance of gaining clarity to move beyond external labels and learn, embrace and leverage your uniqueness in your work and life. She is also a writer for multiple publications and host of the podcast "Awakening Brilliance," where she interviews High Achieving women and shares their pathway to clarity and success. Victoria's mission is to help entrepreneurs & professionals build a strong mindset and unwavering personal brand that allows them to uniquely see their value, expand their visibility, elevate their opportunities, and make a huge impact through their work and in the world.
