Six years ago, I began to write. When strangers asked what I did for a living, I replied “I’m a world-famous author.”
None of my books had been sold. I BELIEVED I was a world-famous writer. It would take time for others to catch on.
One day, my mother came home early from work. This was unusual as she normally worked seven long days a week, juggling three menial jobs.
“Finally, I’ve got myself a contract as a bookkeeper. And I’m being paid $30 an hour,” she beamed.
“How much work is there?” I asked.
“Seven days a week. It could last a couple of years. It’s more than I’ve ever earned.”
“Now that you have a secure job, why don’t you advertise your service for $50 per hour. If no one accepts, so what? You haven’t lost anything.“
A week later, once again, Mum arrived home early.
“What happened?”
“I lost my job.”
“Why?”
“Because I asked for a pay raise to $50—what you told me I was worth.”
“But mum, I didn’t mean…”
Mum was out of work for a month, refusing to accept any rate below $50 per hour.
She then got her rate which, two months later shot to $75.
Mum was convinced she was worth what she was asking for. Why accept anything less?
To the fans of A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything is NOT 42.
It is……..ATTITUDE.
You have to believe in yourself, before anyone else will believe in you.
