A Simple Technique to Earn Your Worth: Practice “The Pause”

During a recent Web TV interview for www.WhitneyandWyatt.com (I’ll post it as soon as I get it) they asked me, “What is one thing that women can do to stop underselling themselves?” Only one thing??!! But then I had it—“Practice the Pause”. The next time someone asks you to volunteer your time, discount your services or asks for something that you feel a tiny bit guilty saying no to, simply refrain from answering for a moment. Let them keep talking. Then say, “Let me think about this and get back to you.” This simple technique is incredibly effective. So often we say yes out of guilt, and then resent the time something takes, or the discount we are giving. So if you can’t say no on the spot, simply don’t say yes. Practice “The Pause”.

I practiced this today when someone called me up and asked me to give a free local talk. I needed time to sort out if it was worth it to me. Of course they wanted an answer from me right then. Too bad! I told them I would have to get back to them. Now I am sitting with it. Is it worth it? What do I need to get out of it to not resent the time it would take? But if I didn’t give myself “The Pause”, I wouldn’t have time to think deeply about it and reflect on what works for me. Practice The Pause.

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