You’re worth more than you think.

Really and truly.

Why aren’t you earning what you’re true value is?

There are three huge reasons why that is the case, which I will list here. These items are in no particular order, so take the time to work on all of them. (When you do that, you avoid what I call the “gold medal effect.” In the Olympics, everyone remembers the gold medal winner; few remember the silver medalist; even fewer, if anyone, remembers the bronze medalist. It’s the same with lists like this: More often than not, people remember the number one item and then run with it, forgetting the remaining items because they’re not as important. Thus, they’re only getting part of the picture — and still not earning everything that they are worth.)

1. You Have Low Self-Confidence/Self-Worth

When it comes to earning what you deserve, then self-confidence and being attuned to your self-worth is a huge factor. If you lack self-confidence, then it is likely that you let people push you around. You more than likely just take what is offered rather than fighting for what you truly deserve. You don’t stick up for yourself, nor your ideas or the deeds you’ve done.

You’re like Clark Kent, always getting the short end of the stick.

You need to become Superman.

As Charles F. Haanel wrote in The Master Key System.

You must first have the knowledge of your power;
second, the courage to dare;
third, the faith to do.

If you’re one of those people, then you need to work on your self-confidence. It can be a long road. Changes won’t happen over night. They will come eventually — and you will be glad that they did.

2. You Don’t Realize the Value of What You Have

Someone finds a painting in their attic. Seeing it only as junk, they place it with the garbage in front of their house. Another person, who happens to be driving by that house, sees the painting. This person knows a little something about art and recognizes the painting for what it is: a Picasso. This person slams on his brakes, takes the painting, and sells it for a huge sum.

The latter person knew the value of what he saw and for that he was rewarded handsomely.

Let’s say that you sing and that you sing wonderfully. If you take it for granted and sing at every wedding and bar mitzvah that comes along for a bottle of water and one trip to the appetizer bar, then chances are likely that you’ll never earn what you deserve.

The point of these examples is to illustrate that what you have, whether it is a talent or a skill or even a possession has value — and that value demands to be paid accordingly.

While this may sometimes be a point of self-confidence, many times it is a point of not truly knowing what price your talent or skill or possession demands. This often stems from not being in tune with the goings-on in your industry. If you’re the singer from our example, you may not know how singers get paid nor how that pay is scaled. Thus, you sing for drinks and perhaps applause — and nothing more.

The remedy is simple. Get to know what’s happening in your industry.

With that knowledge, objectively evaluate what your value is worth.

Then, demand that value.

3. You Protect Against the Downside Too Much

People are generally risk averse. We like things to be safe, known, and without surprises, especially the bad kind. This is usually not a bad thing, as safety is good.

It can be taken to extremes, though.

When taken to extremes, you remain in your “comfort zone” — and never venture from it.

To break out, you must take a little risk and stretch beyond the boundaries you have imposed on yourself.

Because we try to be too safe, we often neglect or pass up opportunities that can get us what we truly want from life and what we truly deserve to earn.

Yes, protect your downside, but don’t make protecting your downside your life’s purpose.

Make your dreams and your goals your life’s purpose.

And then you will earn what you are truly worth.

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The people who earn what they’re worth and more all have one thing in common: a Billionaire Bookshelf.