The Money

As I have advanced in my career throughout the years, and increased my credentials through education and training, I have also increased my earning power to a certain degree. However, somewhere along the way when I realized I could earn more money than I had in previous years, I also started to feel my salary was a little less important. I had finally gotten to a place where no matter which job I chose, or how much I made, I was able to maintain income in a bracket that allowed me to comfortably support myself and my family. Along with my career goals and desires, I started to become drawn to more altruistic causes. Don't get me wrong, all teaching and education is somewhat altruistic. Have you ever looked at teaching salaries? But I started to become driven more by the causes in the places I worked, rather than the salary I would bring home at the end of the week.

Looking back, I can see I made really good choices for my career and my heart. I stopped worrying about making big money, and I started to find my passion in working in some very challenging environments. In some ways you can see it as I was working harder for less money. But what really happened is I chose positions and worked in places, based on where my heart was. I learned to be driven by things other than a paycheck.

Something else started to happen though. I began to undervalue what I brought to the table. I would undercut myself and allow myself to be hired for less than what I was worth, sometimes less than a hiring supervisor even budgeted, all because I felt really good about the job. I convinced myself that it didn't really matter how much I made.

Fast forward to now, and I'm in my forties and getting ready to send my son off to college in about six months. I'm thinking about my parents and how much they are enjoying retirement. I'm talking with my husband about all the things we want to do and experience now that daily in-house raising of our child is coming to an end. I'm starting to think a little bit more about financial freedom and the value of my time. You see, it's not so much about the paycheck as it is the amount of time you have to give in order to get it. I don't want to work 70 or 80 hour weeks, or even 50 or 60 hour weeks to bring home a salary that doesn't afford me anything beyond the bills.

I will no longer allow myself to be sold to the lowest bidder, just because "it's not about the paycheck" for me. The reality is, now it's a little more about the paycheck. It's not the most important thing, but you know what? It matters, and I will not be undervalued anymore.