Underestimating Your Value

I recently shared this message on my Facebook page:

 

“Underestimating your VALUE. The last 3 out of 4 art items I sold the customer paid me MORE than I asked. I think the universe is trying to tell me something! This is a hard lesson for artists (and any entrepreneur really). We tend to undercut ourselves for fear of losing the sale instead of asking for our true worth. I hear you and I am working on it!  Thank you to those that believe in my value and are helping me see that too.“

 

I received comments and messages about how you have had similar situations, how timely this message was or that you regrettably feel you have undersold your work recently and how difficult it is to place a value on creative work.

 

This made me want to dig deep, what is at the heart of undervaluing ourselves?

 WORTH. INSECURITY. ENOUGH-NESS.

 

What do these words bring up for you? Spend time journaling or meditating on these words and see what comes up. Who and what do you value?

 
WORTH is tied to our inner critic that likes to critique and point out our flaws. Remind her that no matter what you do or don’t do, you are worthy and valuable all the same.
 
INSECURITY dulls our light, diminishes our positivity and inhibits our potential. This word may speak to our lack of confidence or our lack of abundance. In both instances, we are in a state of “lack”. Because we are in scarcity mindset we struggle with placing value on ourselves and our services.
 

ENOUGH-NESS has been a trigger for my own personal victim mentality. I am not enough just as I am, I need to learn more, do more, inspire more. I don’t have enough to function at a level I’d like in my community, so I limit my expectations, say no to things I desperately want to say yes to and hold on tight to what I have for fear of losing it. And finally, because of the first two beliefs of not being enough or having enough, I believe I am not worthy of more. This is the most perverse of the three because, it is here where I am keeping myself small and undervalued.

So, what do we do about it?

 

Let’s take a good look at how we treat ourselves. This clues us into what we think we’re worth. Learning how to meet your own needs is incredibly important.

 
Break one limiting belief at a time. This practice will build courage and show you what’s possible. I share some examples with if/than scenarios.
 
If I focus on taking care of myself, than I get to know who I am and more deeply. This helps me understand what I value and what fulfills me.
 
If I forgive myself for my struggles, fears and mistakes, than I  am able to accept who I am fully.

If I commit to being more positive and uplifting when I talk to myself, than I will boost my self-love and self-worth. 

 
If I work to heal my trauma around money and get clear that money is purely an exchange of energy, than I can allow myself to give and receive more freely.
  
Whatever may be happening in your life at the moment, I’m here to say…
 
You are worthy.
You are valuable.
You are enough.

When it comes to pricing my art, I’m coming to terms with the fact that it is OK to want to make a living from my artwork and to have an extraordinary life.

 

No matter what price I charge, someone will think its too much. This has nothing to do with me. It has to do with them, their budget, their money mindset, what they value and want to spend their money on and it’s okay not to lower prices to meet their needs. It’s okay for people to have to save up to buy from me. It’s okay to make a profit. ⁣It’s okay to make money!

 
Unless you’ve studied art history, art auctions and attending years of gallery openings, it’s difficult to understand the value of art. It’s up to us to show the value of our art.
 
Your gifts are worth it and when you really believe this you will attract the people who will be happy to pay what you deserve.

Some More Links on the Topic

3 Powerful Habits for Building Your Self-Esteem + Meditation by Louise Hay

Communicating The Value of Art (Video)  by Gwenn Seemel

I’m not in it for the Money by Whitney Freya

Know Your Value and Name Your Price by The Pitch Queen