I was watching “60 Minutes” (CBS show) featuring an exert of Jennifer Lawrence’s interview. At a point in the interview, the host of the show “Bill Whitaker”, asked her about an essay she wrote which addressed her experience when she worked for the movie “American Hustle”, where she was paid less than her male co-stars. Here’s the part of the dialogue that made an impression on me:
Mr. Whitaker: “Why not blame the studio? They’re the ones that didn’t pay you.”
Ms. Lawrence: “Because I didn’t fight hard enough. It was my own mentality that led me to believe that I didn’t deserve to be paid equally.” (60 minutes, 2018)
Ms. Lawrence stated that if she was in that situation again, she would act differently because she now knows her worth. However, her initial answer spoke to me. It made me think about how we sometimes do with less or without because we don’t believe we deserve it. Simply because we’re insecure about standing up for ourselves because we have a mindset or belief system where we are less valued than others. In her case her male co-stars.
What would make you fight hard enough for what you want or need?
A mindset is the conjunction of our belief systems. So to answer this question I’d say that what would make you fight hard enough for what you want or need, would be your belief that you deserve it. It would take acknowledging and taking responsibility for your worth. Nobody can take that responsibility for you. The first step into becoming responsible for your worth is to take a look at your mindset and fine-tune it to acknowledge and pursue your self-value.
Sometimes the people around us can’t see our worth. Therefore, we must take it upon ourselves to show them our worth with actions and words whenever or wherever necessary.
Sometimes, it could mean telling your boss the asset you are for the company and how focused and skillful you are at performing your job to ensure that you’re paid as much as your male coworker who performs the same job as you. Other times, it could mean stopping someone in their tracks when they speak to you with disrespect, condescendence, or rudeness and letting them know that you will not stand for that behavior.
Our self-value has to be carried by our own hands and stipulated to others when needed. Therefore, I encourage you to search within and consider your self-value in order to fine-tune your mindset to live your best life. You deserve the best, and more than anything you deserve your very in order to be your best you.
With much love,
Alicia
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