Written by: Canderia McKinney
At the start of the year (last year ie), we all ‘bounced our heads’ to the tune “Where the Money Resides, Where the Money Resides” But have you ever stopped to ask yourself, where does the money reside? and more importantly, what should I do if I can’t get to it right away? Well, in this article, we are sharing just that!
Being where the money resides is the epitome of who we women have become. Winning in the classrooms, boardrooms, and family rooms, might I add. But there comes a time when we want ‘the more’ that we know we deserve. For a long time, we’ve believed the lies of “just keep your head down, they’ll notice you soon enough” or, “work twice as hard as everyone else, surely you’ll get paid then”.
I can tell you for sure that while there may have been some who may have gotten lucky with those tactics, the rest of us are out here proving that such advice that encourages keeping your head down, and waiting, is not as sound as it seems. The problem with working harder and harder is that once that hard work is rewarded they will expect double the effort you were putting out in the first place. That’s going to lead you to nowhere else besides “Burnout And I Expect You To Do Even More Now” City.
Before we go on, please note that I am an advocate for hard work, but I also believe in working smarter, not harder. So listen up because I’ve got a secret to tell…
HERE IS THE SECRET:
The money resides in the solutions we bring to the table, the problems we’re willing to solve, and the voice we use to bring recognition to the fact that we are capable of doing just that.
LET ME EXPLAIN:
In every business, there is usually a problem or problems that everyone just pokes with a stick. They walk past it as though it’s a plague, and if someone dares to touch it, they complain repeatedly until it’s passed off to the next not-so-lucky person. What persons don’t realise is that those problems, are diamonds in the rough, or, a seed waiting to burst forth with much fruit, and the person who cultivates it, adds mass value to themselves and all around them.
My question to you is, what problems do you easily find solutions for but aren’t sharing? What solutions have your experiences, successes, and failures allowed you to formulate? It is when we answer these questions that we can begin to move to where the money resides. As you begin bringing these solutions forward, please know that you must use strategy. Don’t go around sharing your big solutions with minds who are ready to shoot them down or steal them. Create a paper trail. If this is a workplace solution, request a meeting to discuss privately with the relevant parties before sharing with everyone. Immediately after, send an email detailing closely the ideas that you have laid on the table! With this done, in the worst-case scenario where they try to take credit or pass your solution off elsewhere, you’ll have proof that the solution was yours.
Here is a tip:
Have a clear plan. Don’t just bring the suggestion or solution. Do the research, create the action steps, and ask for open support in your execution. This plan will set the stage not only for recognition but for you to demonstrate that it can be done and you are the one who is willing to do it. This plan also opens the door for beneficial opportunities and your arrival to the place where the money resides!
But what If I fail with my attempt? I will not lie to you, along the way, there may be failure, but along the way, there will also be successes. Think of it this way—if you are driving and you hit a massive pothole that could have been avoided, do you get out of your car and marvel at the hole? No, you keep driving to your destination! The experience gives you fuel and the wisdom to know what to watch out for, while on the journey. It’s the same thing in business or the workplace.
Here’s another question—what if I solve the problem and it doesn’t get me to ‘Where the Money Resides’? That’s easy! If you take your car to a mechanic and he fixes your car problem, he has now earned your trust. As you recommend him to others, and the positive experiences continue, he is now bringing value. As life would have it, as the mechanic builds trust, he can use that trust as leverage. Before building trust, there might have been a strict, I’ll have your car back in 48 hours policy, but this time, he is asking for a little more time and perhaps more money. That trust he has built allows him just that. With the same token, we can rest assured that as we build ourselves more, we now hold cards in our hands that can give us the winning play. I wish maximum pays on us all, but there are times when we must wait, or the answer is no in plain terms.
If you’re faced with those circumstances, remind yourself that money is a start, but it’s not everything. Repeat it with me, Money is a start, but it is not everything.
With the reputation you’ve built, if you can’t get to “where the money resides” by a paycheck, try these options instead:
- Consider your company’s support or full sponsor of a course that would benefit both you and them greatly. Remember, even though you don’t see the money on your cheque doesn’t mean that you can see it elsewhere.
- 2. At evaluations, don’t be silent, use gratitude to express how much you’ve grown on account of the opportunities given.
- Make suggestions of what could make your experience better. This suggestion can be a Professional Development Course as mentioned previously, benefits increase such as insurance or paid time off, even consider a bonus or re-evaluation at a later date to discuss pay increases.
No matter what, keep in mind that getting to “Where the Money Resides” is not a one-route destination. The possibilities are endless!
