Prescription For Excellence

With Dr. James J. Williams

Want A Raise? Ask Yourself These Questions First!

This month’s column is Part 1 of a two-part series on the topic of Compensation v Value. It’s that time of year again: a time to wrap up your previous year-end projects, check key goals off your list, and face the often-daunting but necessary process of negotiating a raise at work. But rather than dive head first into that discussion, be sure to run through the following questions ahead of time.

1. Am I Actually Underpaid?

Though you might feel entitled to a pay boost based on your skills and effort, the reality is that if you’re not statistically underpaid, you might have a harder time arguing that point. Before you attempt to talk numbers with your boss, do some research to see if your earnings are on par with those of the average person who has your job title. If they are, or if you find that you’re being paid rather generously within your field, you’ll need to adjust your strategy when having that salary discussion.

2. Have I Done Anything To Deserve A Salary Boost?

It’s one thing to want more money, but it’s another thing to legitimately merit an increase. Before you ask for a higher salary, think about whether you deserve an increase. If you’ve consistently worked late, pitched in on projects that technically weren’t your responsibility, or added value to your company in another way, then by all means, make the case for a boost. But if you can’t think of a single compelling reason why you deserve a raise, you might want to table that discussion for another time.

3. When’s The Last Time I Got A Raise?

There’s no rule stating that you must wait a certain period of time (such as a year) between raises before you ask again. For example, if you got a raise in July along with most of your peers but your scope of responsibilities has increased since then, there’s nothing wrong with asking for more money five months later. At the same time, if you got a raise two months ago, there’s a good chance your boss will look at you funny if you initiate a salary discussion in conjunction with the close of the year.

On the flip side, if you’ve been doing the same job for the past three years without any sort of income boost, you can make the argument that while your responsibilities may not have shifted, there comes a point when you need a boost to keep up with the general cost of living. So if it’s been a while since your pay has changed, get that meeting onto your boss’s calendar.

4. Are There Benefits I Should Ask For Instead Of A Raise?

It’s always nice to get more money, but before you insist on a raise, think about whether there are some workplace benefits it pays to request instead. For example, if your 401(k) plan is lousy and your employer doesn’t provide a match, you might ask for an improvement in that area instead of a $2,000 bump in income. And while an uptick in vacation days won’t necessarily put more money back in your pocket, if your company has been stingy on that front thus far, snagging an extra week of paid time off might do more for you than an extra $1,000 or so in earnings.

5. Should I Actually Ask For The Amount I Want Or Aim Higher?

One of the toughest parts of negotiating a raise is determining what number to ask for. If you present the salary you’re actually looking for, there won’t be room for your company to negotiate downward. On the other hand, if you aim too high, you might come off as greedy.

A good compromise, therefore, is to ask for slightly more than the number you’ll actually be happy with. For example, if you’re hoping for a salary of $58,000, ask for $60,000, because chances are your employer will try to take that figure down a notch.

6. What Will I Do If That Conversation Doesn’t Go My Way?

While it’s good to approach a salary negotiation with a positive attitude, you’ll also need to account for the possibility that your request for more money could get outright denied. That’s why it helps to go in with a backup plan. Before sitting down with your manager, think about what you’ll do if that discussion doesn’t go the way you want it to.

Will you ask for a different accommodation (such as the ability to work from home) as a compromise? Or will you nod politely, exit the room, and immediately fire off your resume? Knowing what you’ll do in the face of rejection will help you better navigate that unfortunate but possible turn of events.

Have you ever wondered what sets others apart from the rest? Well let me tell you… It is tenacity and grit! As we take this time to recognize and applaud all who have taken their rightful place as a leader, entrepreneur, visionary or dreamer, we can appreciate that there are many facets of endured strength.

They say everything comes in three’s. Everyday we are being challenged by one thing or another. However, praying and asking God for wisdom regarding everyday life is a key ingredient for victory and successful change in your life.

Second ingredient is faith; which means looking forward and directing your vision into the future rather than looking back at the past. Faith is not required to look back into yesterday. Faith is required to look forward to the next minute, hour, and year. Focus forward in faith. This is our seasoning for the healing of mind, body and spirit.

Third ingredient is love. Love is powerful. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is a many-splendored thing. Self-love is the most important love that we can have in our lives. If we care for and love ourselves, then we are able to share love with others. If we allow love to simmer in our spirit, we allow healing in our heart.

So as we incorporate wisdom, faith and love as our recipe for change, we will see situations being resolved and our lives will be forever changed. It starts with all of us. Together we can make a difference. It is said to be the change you wish to see, which can impact and revolutionize the world in terms of business and personal growth.

You have absolutely everything it takes to pursue your dream and create positive impact in the lives of others. We all have a divine gift tailor-made just for us- for greatness. It is important to realize that your greatest potential is achievable and within your reach.

Life in general can be challenging to say the least. However, once you show up for yourself and begin to pursue your purpose, everything will fall into place. Adopting an attitude of action is the jump start to putting things in motion.

Here are some steps to consider that I have found helpful on my journey to make a difference and create change and how to maximize growth within business and personal development.

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You are the Expert:

Remember, the gift is yours! It is also wise to further study your industry or your niche. Explore your creativity. The world is waiting on you. Be resilient.

Be Productive:

What and how much you get done are important for business and personal growth. Time management is a successful habit to master in order to produce great results not only in your business, but in your personal life as well. Not only should you live a balanced life, but a harmonious one!

Be Indispensable:

How well do you assert yourself? Knowing what your strengths are will definitely give you the leverage that you need to produce at a higher level. Be yourself but make yourself stand out from the rest and capitalize on your uniqueness. Be a catalyst for change.

Build Networking Relationships:

Taking advantage of the gift of collaboration is the key to building strong business and personal relationships. Forming partnerships and supporting others is a great way to gain new opportunities for growth. It’s a win-win situation! Collaboration is the new currency. Your network is your networth!

So as we take a moment to recognize the greatness we see in others, I also wish to celebrate You! Go be great in the world. I wish you all indescribable peace.

I’m just a girl who decided to go for it, who is on my journey to becoming the best version of myself daily by using my God-given gifts to inspire others to believe in themselves and confidently go after their dreams. I truly believe that when you know who you are and whose you are, without the limiting beliefs or self-doubt, you can build any form of success you desire upon that foundation… one inspiration at a time.

“A confident woman is an empowered woman humbled by Grace.” – La Donya Yvette

La Donya Yvette is the Founder/CEO of iWIN Global Inc., an inspirational movement all about G.I.R.L. PowHER and Living an Inspired Life. She is a Published Author, Writer, creator of Butterfly Beauty Blog, Inspirational Speaker, Master Your Mindset Coach, Certified Dreamsteerer Academe’ Instructor, Contributing Writer for MizCEO Magazine for the Entrepreneurial Woman, the Breathe Now Magazine, and the Entrepreneur Platform Magazine. She is also Your Voice of Inspiration!

Website: www.iwinglobalinc.com (iWIN Global - Influential Women Inspire Network)

Email: info@iwinglobalinc.com

https://iwinglobalinc.com/g-i-r-l-powher (G.I.R.L. PowHER - Gladiators Inspire Remarkable Ladies)

www.Transformedfaith.blogspot.com (Butterfly Beauty Blog)

Facebook.com/La Donya Yvette

Twitter.com/iWinGlobal

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