Your Net Worth? Have you ever considered what you are worth?

Your Net Worth? Have you ever considered what you are worth?

 

As a woman what is your net worth?

Have you ever wondered what your net worth is, as a human being? What your experience from birth to right now, this very moment has made you worth? It is one of those questions we can often think about, but as women never answer or avoid at all costs.  There are some women will go directly to their current hourly rate, in employment.  There are some who will say instantly say I am worthless and those who will tell you they are worth a million pounds.  The truth could be in-between all of the above.

 

With that in mind, let’s do a little task.  This task could take you a few minutes, hours or days (especially if you decide to do the task truthfully).  Arrange to get some time on your own, without any distractions, interruptions and in a quiet place that will allow you to think freely.

 

Now, grab a pen and paper and write down all your qualifications, even those swimming qualifications and gymnastic badges you had as a child.  Include any exams you gained from school, college and or university.  Don’t forget those extracurricular activities like piano or guitar qualifications.  Just write them down and do not re-read them.  Once you have finished, turn the piece of paper over.  Then, on a separate piece of paper add all the experiences you have had over the last few years.  Include your jobs, your home and family responsibilities.  These will include your personal responsibilities.  Those responsibilities that you do every day without even thinking about it.  For example, do you have a pet that you look after or have older parents or younger siblings that depend on you?  All of these experiences create value to you as a person.  Once you have finished, I would like you to put these two lists away for 24 hours.  Don’t read them, don’t look at them, just put them away.

 

24 Hours Later

Now, I would like you to take your lists and read them.

  • Read out aloud all the qualifications you have.
  • Read the list of all your experiences.

Did you find anything on these lists as a surprise?

 

Do you have more qualifications than you expected, do you have more experience than you realised?

 

Money makes the world go round but what is your net worth

Money is the key or is it?

Just for fun, on your qualifications list and experience list, how much do you think it would cost to get those qualifications and that experience if you were starting from scratch.  State education cost per child circa £48,000.  A degree can cost up £37,000 (without accommodation and living expenses).  That is £85,000 we have had spent on us already, and we have not even started on our experience!

 

Now ask yourself the question, ‘If you had to pay someone else, with all those skills, what would their hourly rate be?’  It could be argued that this be your net worth.

 

Personal Reflection on Your Net Worth

 

I undertook this task a few years ago, and I was surprised and a little intimidated by the person who had acquired all my skills and experiences. We take ourselves for granted so often, that sometimes we just need to stop, take a look at ourselves and congratulate us for what we have done and what we will be doing in the future.

 

Your net worth is not the amount you get paid. It is the amount of money you would have to pay someone to do what you do, daily.

What Are the Major Concerns during an Appraisal?

What Are the Major Concerns during an Appraisal?

PA-Secretary-conducing-an-appraisal
Preparation for an Appraisal

As a PA (Personal Assistant), an EA (Executive Assistant) or secretary you may be asked to undertake an appraisal, this could be for junior members of staff. An Appraisal, Performance Review or Staff Review happens once a year.  The appraisal gives the employee and the employer an opportunity to openly discuss the previous years working structure.

Some General Guidelines

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Conducting an appraisal if you are a PA

Appraisals are on an individual employee’s job description. If you are conducting the appraisal you need to ensure that you are aware of the employee’s job description and not undertake a comparison with other employees.  You also have to be aware that the appraisal is on their past performance and not on what you would like them to do. That is the value of job analysis and detailed job descriptions.

A rating system may form part of the appraisal process.  The rating system could be a numerical, alphabetical system or a combination. All PAs or secretaries conducting an appraisal should be trained on the rating system used.  A good rating could result in a pay rise or promotion.  It is important that the rating system is robust, understood and utilised.

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Performance Review for a PA or Secretary

Performance Review for a PA or Secretary

A Performance review or appraisal is one of the tasks managers hate to do, and employees hate to receive. The entire process can cause sleepless nights for both concerned and create lots of anguish. However, I would like to suggest that you may be looking at a performance review in a rather negative way.

 

A performance review should be a process that you look forward to and not something to be feared or dreaded. An Appraisal is an opportunity for you to talk to your employer about you. Within the conversation, you will discuss your current role as a PA or Secretary within the organisation and your Job Description. You could also discuss any potential career development or progression that you would like to achieve in the company.

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Listening Skills for a Secretary and PA

Listening Skills for a Secretary and PA

Listening Skills for a Secretary, PA or Minute Taker are essential. When we talk to our work colleagues, we are there to obtain information and to understand their needs.  We need to learn and know what tasks they would like us to undertake quickly and efficiently.  Interestingly, on average we hear about 30-50% of what a person speaks in a conversation, we then we faze out.  This is where your skill as a Secretary, PA or Minute Taker needs to come into play.  You need to become an active listener.

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