For most of us, we focus on one or a few primary sources of income generation based on a core set of skills or knowledge that we have. We need to do a few key things to make a sustainable change in our long-term income potential.
KNOW Your Skills
This sounds simple, but many of us have an over-inflated idea of how good we are at what we do. Consider if we were to take a poll of people who have a certain type of job. It is fairly typical that well above half the people would indicate they believe they are above average at performing that skill. Mathematically this can’t be true.
Seek validation on your skill level (strengths and weaknesses) from a trusted friend or colleague. Try to find an objective way to measure your skill. If you are getting feedback from your supervisor or customers/clients, welcome it and genuinely listen to what they are telling you instead of getting defensive. Ask friends that know you well to speak about other skills they see that you have but may not be currently using as a source of income. Objective self-reflection is also very helpful.
Having a realistic view of what we are good at and what we are not at is an important foundation for growing sustainable income.
GROW Your Skills
Once you identify a reasonably objective set of strengths and weaknesses, you can start making decisions about which of these you should focus on improving first. By improving on some of your weaknesses or building further on your strengths you can grow your capability and skills… which inevitably makes it easier to grow your income.
Some skills can be worked on at home or informally by studying and practicing. Other skills are best improved through formal training (e.g. community college, trade schools, apprenticeship at companies doing that work, university or college degrees).
Growing the key skills around which you base your income is foundational to improving your income generation potential.
SHOW Your Skills
Even with your current situation, be sure you are genuinely working in such a way as to demonstrate your skills and potential. Do not let laziness or lack of motivation pull you into underachieving. You are paid based on the skills you demonstrate, not the skill potential you have. As you grow your skills, it will translate directly to your current source of income. If you are self-employed, your effectiveness and earnings will improve. If you work for someone else, they likely will notice.
You can also market your skills to other companies doing similar work or to other companies doing different work that you are qualified to do. By marketing yourself to other opportunities you will get a realistic measure of whether or not you can earn more money by switching employers or job types.
As you consider these important aspects of income generation, keep in mind also that how much you enjoy what you do or where you work has a significant impact on your job performance and your enjoyment of life. After all, generating income is only one aspect of a personal financial strategy… a part of a bigger plan. Do not be too quick to pursue whatever pays the highest just to find out later you are unhappy and unsatisfied. It is best to seek contentment wherever you are for as long as you are there and to seek God’s direction for your life. His plans are always better than our own!
—-
Remember that all you have belongs to God. Manage your money God’s way. Visit GrowGodsMoney.org .