Having a decent level of self-esteem is tied to your work. In America especially, we feel more valued if we are employed or doing something productive with our lives.
Polls show that a higher percentage (16.6%) of unemployed individuals are depressed than employed individuals (5.6%).
Essentially, our self-identity is tied up in what we do for a living.
But what about those who already have jobs or do something productive with their lives?
Even though those who are employed are less likely to be depressed, we still struggle with the ties between our job and our self-esteem.
When you have low self-esteem at work you are less likely to reach for promotions, raises, or better jobs. When a person experiences low self-esteem at work, they unintentionally damage their ability to succeed and advance.
But one of the best ways to boost your self-esteem at work is to strive to show your personal value. This is the opposite of hiding in the wings and waiting for someone to compliment you.
And today I am going to talk about how you can show your coworkers and your boss your self-worth by setting goals and sticking to them.
1. Show Your Personal Value At Work By Remembering That Time Is Money
If you work in an office, you’ll know the temptations.
Your cell phone. Or possible just social media in general.
89% of employees admit to wasting time at work. Most likely, even your boss would fit in this number. The internet has made us all attention deficit in some way (not to downplay the reality of ADD).
But those employees who utilize every moment at work will get noticed.
Set a goal of not checking your phone or social media until you’re on break. You will soon notice that you are getting more work done and this will boost your self-worth.
We stake too much of our self-identity in social media and our digital lives. Ghosting for a few hours on social media will not change how people view you. In fact, this practice might change your life for the better.
2. Be Your Own Return On Investment
As you invest time in your day, you will reap the consequences.
These consequences can either be positive or negative. And your company or boss will notice when you’re reaping the positive kind.
Thinking of your time as a return on investment is a great way to reorient how you think about yourself.
Your personal value at work according to your boss is measured in dollars typically. You don’t have to think this way. But if it helps, start thinking this way.
Think of how much you get paid (or don’t if it’s too depressing), but are you exceeding your “worth?” If you are, this might be motivation to start reaching for promotions.
Sometimes our self-esteem is tied into our inability to see our personal value at work. Some people don’t realize they are giving more than they are being paid. Sometimes bosses don’t realize their employees are giving more than they are being compensated.
And when you turn in exceptional work, you show your value to everyone on the receiving end.
3. Learn To Say “No”
Sometimes go-getters at work actually have low self-esteem. You might actually be busting your chops and then the boss says, “hey, can you take on this ‘side project?'” And you’re a go-getter, so you say “Yes” when you should say “No.”
Knowing our personal value at work also involves gauging how much we take on.
Other people can’t tell sometimes how much they’re placing on you. They will give you more than you can handle if you accept more than you can handle.
It is good to say no at work. It is wise to set boundaries at work too.
If you’re finding you can’t meet your work goals because you have too much on your plate, it’s time to pair down. You’re feeling a sense of low self-esteem because you’re trying to climb an impossible mountain.
You may think other people are able to climb the impossible mountain you’re on. But this is far from true.
Go-getters are the ultimate self-saboteurs. They outperform everyone else and yet feel like everyone else is outperforming them. They take on more work to cover their performance anxiety. And the cycle starts all over again.
This is why it’s important to set boundaries and keep your workload to a manageable level. You will accomplish more and see your self-identity tied to a healthier metric than workload.
4. Be Confident In Your Ideas
If you’re trying to climb the ladder and gain some sort of managerial position, then confidence is key.
If your work conducts team meetings or staff meetings of some sort, it’s time to set a goal. Think of something new to introduce at each meeting. Make sure it’s relevant to the company, of course. But with time you’ll see the attitude of your boss and fellow employees change.
Your personal value at work will go up if people see that you are full of ideas.
Know also that it doesn’t matter if those ideas are not implemented. This is part of creating a positive self-identity within your company. Learning to express your ideas and accept rejection and remaining undaunted.
Nobody is going to trash your idea. And if they do, defend yourself (with humility). The more you stand up for your ideas and speak your mind, the better you feel about your personal value in the company.
4. Say No To Working Vacations
Some people look down on those who learn to strike a work-life balance. But the people who strike a work-life balance are those who know their personal value at work and don’t tie their whole self-identity up in their job.
Your vacation should be your vacation. Sure, there will be business trips. But those should never be called a vacation.
Even if it’s a weekend, demand time to recharge. This is essential to success in the workplace.
Lastly, Get A Life or Strengths Coach
A coach is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a professional who can help you set goals and reach those goals in your life and your work.
If you’re looking to find a healthier self-identity and greater personal value at work, get in contact and see how a coach can change your life for the better.