Your Own Self Worth and Value

Many years ago I was a monthly columnist for Accountancy SA.
After I qualified as a professional transitional coach, my background from the Chartered Accountancy industry was a perfect fit to share insights and add value to fellow business executives.
After all I had just done what most of my clients want to do – move from a corporate day job with a boss, into self employment.
When approached to freelance for the magazine there was a value exchange that made sense on so many levels.
The publisher believed in the value and worth, my relevant writing could bring to their readers, and I valued making a real tangible contribution as I knew how hard the journey had been to make the move myself.

I was given a great platform to touch on topics and subjects that I found in my professional coaching practice to be extremely relevant to business owners and professionals.
Inspiring feedback from readers and the publisher made me want me to give more as it was empowering and uplifting.

It all changed when the publisher replied to a monthly column siting it had to be edited down.
I had never received a reply like that in almost a decade.
The topic was about the future of the South African Chartered Accountancy CA(SA) designation.

Lets get back to the topic of this article – define your own value and worth.
Wikipedia’s definition of VALUES is a great source: the principles or standards of behavior for you; one’s judgement of what is important in life.
Wikipedia also definitions SELF WORTH as one’s confidence in one’s own worth, abilities and or morals.

When applied to one’s own life in vacuum it is easy to see how important you and I should prioritize these matters. If done it can enhance and empower our personal and professional journey’s.

Returning to my columnist days.
The value exchange had suddenly changed when the publisher wanted to edit the contribution.
I valued not just my self worth experience and platform too much to edit a topic I felt would be very valuable to my fellow classmates that it is impossible to do so.
Transparency which is a value I guard as an important business principal was at risk.
So much at risk, that to protect it, I had to disassociate with everything that could jeopardize it.

Now looking back, I was blessed with an opportunity to guard and protect what I deem important as a professional and individual.
Although endings are never easy or comfortable, it is also a breakthrough for new beginnings and directions which are exciting.

You say you have values and non negotiables in life.
What happens when you are under fire?
What will make you stick to your guns in those moments?

Be prepared and have your own checklist of non negotiables – your way.
Your ultimate guide.

Believe in yourself and you will see the fruits of your labor.

To your success of self worth and value.