#384 – What keeps you tolerating low pay?

Whatever your reasons, it all comes down to one: fear.

Are you listing every more than reasonable justification for your tolerating less money than you need/want?

Ok, I hear you. But now, hear the part of you that's talking.

It's not really you: it's the Ghost of Undervaluing and Undercharging (GoUU), with a discourse so old that you no longer pay attention, which is what makes it dangerous.

Is it really true that they'll be offended (sad/angry/disappointed) if you ask for more––or is the GoUU spooking you out of asking?

In the AI project I'm working on, the researcher asked me to do something outside of the job description. He said, "of course, log in the hours."

The new task was of a higher level, and I was pleased. He trusts me, I thought. He sees my value, I thought. I jumped right in.

But the task was challenging and I soon realized I was devising solutions while in the shower, at the gym, in bed at 3:18am––hours I wasn't logging.

Still, I was happy that the researcher himself had tasked me with such an important job. At the same time, a nagging feeling kept me second-guessing my work, doubting my expertise.

Thus, I didn't ask a higher hourly rate, even though my work would make the process more efficient, ergo the company would save money, ergo my work had an effective dollar value.

Why? Because, what if he doesn't think it's good enough?

Typical BS the GoUU spews through its thin, chapped lips.

What the GoUU doesn't get is that when I ask, I ask for me.

What the other person responds isn't my business; they can always say no and that's ok.

What lie from the Ghost of Undervaluing and Undercharging will you stop believing?

Love,

Carolina