Today At A Glance

  • Question: Are you learning from Aha! moments?
  • Deep Dive: My Aha! moment about employment.

reading time: 3 minutes


Question

Are you learning from Aha! moments?

Aha! Moments are specific moments in time that teach you a new perspective. These occurrences can change your beliefs and life in an instant.

In this week’s deep dive, I’ll share my most valuable Aha! moment about employment.


Deep Dive

If you like this week’s deep dive, my full-length video and article go even deeper.

Aha! Moment: Employment Is An Agreement

I realized at a young age that my parents couldn’t afford to pay for my college education. So, I began working at 14 and saved 70% of every paycheck for tuition.

I felt lucky to have a job. I had seen the effects of unemployment firsthand, so I knew how it could affect a family. However, I let my fear of unemployment scare me a little too much.

In my mind, the employer had all of the power. I believed employment was a one-way agreement in which the employer was doing me a favor by giving me a job.

I graduated from college as a mechanical engineer and began my professional career when I was 24. In the six years that followed, a lot changed. I gained experience, became a licensed professional engineer, and was offered promotions. The only thing that didn’t change was my salary.

Years later, when I started hiring people for my own business, I realized something important. That was, employment is not a one-way agreement. Employment is a two-way agreement in which an employee agrees to provide a valuable service in exchange for a salary.

In my years as an employee, I failed to realize that I was valuable. I believed I was lucky to be employed, so I never asked for a raise or looked for a better-paying job.

If I could talk to the 24-year-old version of myself, here’s what I’d say.

  1. Don’t forget that you provide value to your employer. Yes, you are lucky to have a job, but your employer is also lucky to have a valuable employee.
  2. Companies pay for value. So, never stop increasing your value. Continually look for ways to become a more valuable employee.
  3. When your value exceeds your salary, do one of two things. Negotiate a raise or find a new job that pays you what you are worth.
  4. If no employer will pay you what you think you are worth, that could mean one of two things. Either you are overvaluing yourself, or it’s time to start your own business.
Want More?

Check out my full-length video and article on forgiveness.


DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the information presented in this email is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The creator of this email is not a licensed financial advisor and any decisions made based on this information are at your own risk. It’s important to consult with a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions, as this information does not consider individual investment goals, risk preferences, or financial situations. Please remember that past performance does not guarantee future results, and all investments involve risk, including the potential loss of your initial investment.

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