I’ve learned a lot of lessons this past year as I went about my journey as a WAHM. Because of these lessons, I have also learned to adjust every so often how I work and how I choose worthwhile projects and clients to work with. I learn something new every day.
I’ve been introspecting a lot lately. Maybe it’s because it’s a new year or maybe because I’ve become increasingly dissatisfied lately as to how my wahm life has evolved. It has come to the point again (because this is not the first time this has happened) that I am no longer happy with what I have been doing and I had to ask myself why.
Several months ago, I wrote about giving up on certain clients/projects because work has started to claim most of my time. I started losing weekends to work. I started losing precious time with my family. So, I decided to reclaim my weekends again.
The fact that I also had to put with crap from some people, who try to manipulate me, was just too much to bear.
Lately though, I realized it wasn’t just losing the weekends that I was so dissatisfied about. It was the fact that I felt like the compensation I was getting wasn’t worth the time I spent on the work required. In short, I felt I was underpaid and overworked. The fact that I also had to put with crap from some people, who try to manipulate me, was just too much to bear.
I talked to my hubby and trusted friends about this to the point that I was ranting to them almost daily already. (You know who you are. Sorry!) If I were them I would have gotten tired of all the ranting already. I realized that I needed to do something about it.
I work so I can share my God-given gifts and talents to help others but at the same time, I am not running a charitable institution. I realized that I have to let people know that I value my time and that I don’t work for free. I work so I can earn a living and help my hubby pay the bills and give our kids a nice, comfortable life.
The value of my work is the amount of life I exchange for it.
With that said, clients who ask me to work with them and spend so much time with them on their projects must be able to pay me what I’m worth. Because the time I give to my clients is time away from my family, time that I can no longer take back once given. The value of my work is the amount of life I exchange for it.
If people (clients or non-clients) can’t respect the value of my time, then I’d be happy to turn them over to others who are willing to put up with that. As for me, I know my worth and will no longer subject myself to situations wherein I am at the losing end. Now, let me go and find those worthy of me.
Have you ever encountered similar work situations? How did you handle it?
You can ALWAYS rant to me! 🙂 Glad you are “detoxing” your life. You’ll be so much happier and more fulfilled this way. 🙂
Patty | MrsC recently posted…Little MrC and His First Valentine
Thanks, Patty. You have no idea how much it helps to have someone to rant to. Haha! But seriously, I appreciate it.
Janice Lim recently posted…WAHM Lessons: Valuing My Time
I once encountered a client who paid me such a small amount for a lot of effort and time. The work was so hard to let go because it allowed me to travel abroad, fully paid by the client. However, I eventually let go because I realized that the client required so much of my time and asked a lot of effort with such a minimal pay. Also- it was disappointing when the client said that I shouldn’t be complaining because all Filipinos (she has OFWs working for her kasi) that have worked for her need money and that they’d be willing to do anything, for whatever amount, just to earn. Medyo feeling ko may racism na nangyayari so I just let go.
Anyway- after that, I made sure that I am well aware of my work’s worth and the value of my time. Parang namaliit kasi ako nung client na yun and somehow, naniwala ako na ganun lang ang worth ko.
Kim Timbol-Reyes recently posted…Finally home on St. Valentine’s Day
OMG, Kim! I kinda have a similar experience but with a prospective client only. So, it was really a good thing that that deal never materialized. It would have been a nightmare! It’s really so sad and frustrating at the same time. But at least we know better now. 🙂
Janice Lim recently posted…WAHM Lessons: Valuing My Time
When i first got here in Thailand I was kind of a pushover for jobs. And employers do take advantage of newbies in town offering them salaries way below the average rate. As i became more experienced and realized that I’m getting the bitter end of the deal, i just simply packed my things and left. ^_^
pauperslens recently posted…Donât Delete Old Boring Photos
It’s great that you finally realized your worth! It really sucks to encounter employers who take advantage like that. Here’s to all of us finding great employers who pay well! 🙂
Janice Lim recently posted…WAHM Lessons: Valuing My Time
Oh yes! Oh yes I have. And I learn my lesson well too. This guy got me to write for this organization and I got so excited because it was supposedly a “respected” org. But what was supposedly a 2-month job ended up to be four and by that time, it wasn’t even done yet. The problem was the guy who got me kept asking me to change and edit my work even before the client sees it…I admit, nawalan ako ng gana. AND when the client pointed out mistakes which happened to be what the guy asked me to do, the guy didn’t even own to it. In the end, the client asked to lower my fee which, by the way was already extremely low for a “script” project…and I got the blame. I just let it go and the rest of the payment I was supposed to get. It was such a huge waste of my time and energy. hayyy, naiinis pa rin ako everytime i think of it, haha.
May De Jesus-Palacpac recently posted…Trying the Spicy Chicken Fillet with Brown Rice Pilaf at Pancake House
May, nakakainis talaga, diba? But oh well, lesson learned na lang, I guess. Sabi nga nila, there’s a reason for everything. So maybe that’s why it happened to us – for us to learn. 🙂
Janice Lim recently posted…WAHM Lessons: Valuing My Time
I understand what you’re feeling kasi napagdaanan ko rin yan. At first, I worked beyond 5 days a week because I wanted to earn for my family, pero ang naging focus ko is “earning” rather than “family”. Which shouldn’t be the case. Ang nangyari is I lost quality time with my husband and daughter. Ngayon, I make sure na I keep my weekends free for my family. Hindi matutumbasan ng kahit gaano kalaking pera ang oras na iginugugol natin sa pamilya natin. 🙂
Michelle recently posted…Before we were “Mommy”…
Yeah, that’s exactly what happened to me. One of the reasons why I wanted to be a WAHM was so that I can better control my schedule and spend more time with my family. But those jobs I got actually took way more time than I expected, for very little pay pa (or in one instance, no pay at all!). So not worth it.
Janice Lim recently posted…WAHM Lessons: Valuing My Time
When I decided to become a WAHM its because I want to spend more time with my family especially with my son. As of today, I’m still adjusting and fixing my schedule. But I always keep in my mind my “reason” for doing this. And it is to be with my loved ones. So I only commit myself to things which will also benefit them (my family). And I make sure to really spend “quality” time with them.(:
I guess that’s really how moms like us go all the time. We just love to work and don’t want to be idle that sometimes we forget the time. That’s what my husband do best, telling me when to stop and telling me what’s the real priority. We work to live and not live to work 🙂
TweenselMom recently posted…An Introduction To Your Tweens’ Favorite Characters
I find it rewarding to be a WAHM because I can look after our daughter and do whatever I want to do, work whenever I could. I handle my time and I feel less pressure from work. But when my engineering work comes into the scene, things become a lot more complicated since I need to divide my time well. And that is the time when pressures arrive. Yet, my time is still mine and I am happy that I can spend quality time with the family while earning well. I’m glad that you are looking into this to. For sure you’ll end up happy!
kareen liez recently posted…DIY Foodie: Heart Shaped Pancakes
Wow. I guess we all have our own stories to tell. and it’s good to vent out some frustrations and remain sane. ^_^ … I once got hired by a school that has decided to close at the end of the school year! They never said anything about closing when they hired me. And i gave up my previous school of 5 long years in favor of their supposed better deal. Ugh.. very frustrating. ^_^
Mitch Ryan recently posted…Tmart Digital Weight Kitchen Food Diet Scale Review
I value my weekend and time spent with my daughter. I don’t think I’d spend my weekend away from my family if it’s not worth it.
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen recently posted…Banana Strawberry Smoothie
my work is just my blog lang naman so I have control on who to work with.. and I guess only a mom like you will understand me and my rate.. kase some would say na it is based on traffic, stats etc.. ako I always base my rate on the time that the project will take away from my kids..
Mommy Pehpot recently posted…The Moonshine Jungle Tour: Bruno Mars Live in Manila Tickets From Max’s