Am I Adding Value To The Company I Am Working For?
Remember seeing the job description for your current position? You were excited as you read through the qualifications and skills the company listed. You knew you were a great fit. You had the background, the knowledge and felt confident as you sent off your resume.
The interview was even better. You knew you got the job before you even left the parking lot. Then you actually started working in the position. A few months passed, you settled in, you felt you were adding value with new ideas and suggestions.
Then a year passed, two years. You were busier, stuck in the monotony of everyday work and not feeling as valued as you did at the beginning. Another few years pass and now you aren’t even sure this is where you want to remain.
Recognizing your own value in the workplace can be challenging. It’s easy to fall into the stigma of a self-defeating vision. But, learning to recognize your contributions in the workplace as essential, is pivotal.
A quick Internet search on “adding value” gives you tips like being a keen problem solver, showing initiative, keeping your technical skills up to date, communicating well.
These are great tips, but it’s important to understand what changed and why you are questioning your value at work.
Value is often determined by how much you feel you are accomplishing, the size of your projects, how quickly you are able to get tasks done. You base your values on what your bosses or co-workers say OR don’t say about your work.
You watch others moving into higher positions faster or taking on new responsibilities and start comparing yourself to others, which is a surefire way to devalue your self-worth pretty quickly.
Your value needs to come from the inside, not external validation. Believe in your potential, clarify and understand how you make a difference, recognize your unique gifts and talents, look at contributions big and small as impactful.
This week, challenge yourself to create a list of how you bring value to your workplace.
Here’s an example of what that could look like:
1. Confident decision maker
2. Great mentor to younger team members
3. Professional and always meets deadlines
When your list is complete, you will feel outstanding and this is a practice you can turn to anytime you are feeling unsure.
If you want help in creating effective changes to recognize your value, schedule a meet and greet with me and we can take a closer look at what obstacles are getting in your way from achieving the results you want and deserve.