How I Learned My Worth Wasn’t Tied to a Paycheck
I still remember sitting in that salary negotiation, determined to advocate for myself. I had transitioned into a new role as a Well-Being Director, and this was my opportunity to show the value I could bring. But their response hit me like a ton of bricks:
"You’d make us more money as a surgeon than as a Well-Being Director."
At that moment, I felt like all my efforts were reduced to a number on their bottom line. I was heart broken. For so long, my sense of worth had been directly tied to how much I earned. The bigger the paycheck, the more validated I felt. But now, in a role that was deeply meaningful to me, I was being told that my value was less because my contribution wasn’t as profitable.
The Struggle with Self-Worth
For years, I equated earning more with being more. If I wasn’t making as much, I felt like I wasn’t enough. Moving away from full time surgery into a role focused on well-being was a big shift—and while it felt aligned with my purpose, the salary disparity brought up feelings I hadn’t expected.
I started questioning everything:
Was I making the wrong decision by stepping away from full time surgery?
Did my work only matter if it was tied to a higher income?
Could I feel proud of myself if my paycheck didn’t reflect the value I felt I was bringing?
The Breakthrough
That negotiation was a wake-up call. I realized I’d been measuring my worth by someone else’s metrics for far too long. The truth hit me:
My worth isn’t tied to their profits. My value as a person isn’t something that can be quantified by how much I earn or how much money I make for someone else.
Purpose over profit matters. Transitioning into a role that aligned with my values and made a difference in people’s lives was worth far more than any paycheck.
Self-worth comes from within. No salary negotiation, title, or role could ever define the impact I knew I was capable of making.
Reclaiming My Power
From that moment on, I stopped seeking validation from others. I stopped tying my identity to the title on my badge or the paycheck in my bank account. Instead, I focused on what truly mattered to me: living a life of purpose, creating impact, and aligning my work with my values.
Was it an easy shift? No. It’s hard to let go of deeply ingrained beliefs, especially when society reinforces them at every turn. But the more I leaned into what felt right for me, the more I started to see the rewards:
I felt lighter, knowing my choices were aligned with my purpose.
I built stronger relationships because I wasn’t carrying the burden of resentment or comparison.
I finally felt proud of the life I was creating—on my terms.
The Lesson
If you’ve ever felt like your value was being diminished by someone else’s perception, know this: your worth isn’t up for negotiation. It isn’t tied to a paycheck, a title, or anyone else’s opinion. It’s tied to the impact you make, the joy you feel, and the alignment you have with your purpose.
💭 Ask yourself: Are you living a life that reflects your true worth, or are you still chasing someone else’s definition of it?
Your value isn’t defined by how much you make or what someone else thinks you’re worth. It’s defined by how you show up, the connections you build, and the purpose you embrace.
Share this with someone who needs the reminder: You are enough, exactly as you are.
