What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger Contest: Know Your Own Worth
"I did not want you," "You are not Asian so how can you teach Feng Shui," "You are too young," and the list goes on. I am a 28 year old Feng Shui consultant who has over 12 years of on-site consulting and teaching experience. During these years I have grown and learned so much. One of the major lessons I learned as a young eager Feng Shui Consultant 10 years ago was to Know your Own Worth, stand strong and others will recognize that as well.
To many times we allow others to designate what we are worth. This can happen with personal relationships, the time you spend with a client, family, really anyone you connect with. Knowing your own worth is having respect for yourself and setting standards with how you wish to be treated and respected.
I would like to share a specific moment when nurturing my skills as a Yong Feng Shui consultant back in the 2002. I received a call from a 30 year old women in NYC who was in need of a Feng Shui consultation ASAP. She called up our office, requested my mother but she was sick. So I offered to help and ended up performing that consultation instead. It started off great and I even went above and beyond to assist in extra Feng Shui de-cluttering services. I did not charge extra because I wanted to be fair, leave a great impression with my client, and make sure the job was completed on a positive note. Well, even though I did all that, that client was still not happy.
She admitted to gaining a lot of knowledge, she thanked me for going above and beyond with helping to de-clutter, but in the end all she could say was, " I didn't want you, I wanted your mother." Talk about getting shot down. That was one of the worst consultations ever because after she said that, I had to fight back tears from steaming down my face when in front of her. After being paid (which I could care less about at that point) and leaving her apartment, I ended up crying feeling worthless because I did not meet her standards for what she thought I should be. Honestly, I was ready to throw in the towel right there, that was how bad it felt.
Lotus flower: Feng Shui Flower
Now, I could have avoided this whole situation if I Knew my own worth. But, because I was so focused on making a great impression and being a Young eager consultant, I did not pay attention to the warning signs that were given to me over the phone.
First, I should have recognized the hesitation in her voice after I said, "I can perform the Feng Shui consultation," and her responding, " you sound very young are you sure you can do this?"
Second, I should have not moved forward when a client wishes to rush into a consultation, because it shows they really do not understand the Feng Shui process.
Third, I should have questioned her more to make sure she felt comfortable working with me and me working with her. If I saw it was really not a good connection, I should have just ended it there and saved each other the drama.
Finally, I should have simply listened to my intuition that was screaming, this is not a job for you, just pass on it.
But, as they say, you live and you learn.
After that disheartening consultation experience, I promised myself, I will never allow this situation to manifest ever again. This isolated situation happened over ten years ago. Has the universe tested me since? You bet ya, at least 3 other times and one recently. Have I learned to stand my ground and Know my own worth? oooo yes :)
I hope you all Know Your Own Worth ;)
This post is an entry in the Active Rain Challenge: What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger.
*Carole Provenzale was a Certified Feng Shui Consultant who graduated from the Country's very first School for Feng Shui Studies that was licensed and accredited in 1997. Her Daughter, the second generation of Certified feng Shui consultants provides on site Feng Shui Consultations Long Island NY, Queens New York and New York City -Hamptons NY.
New York City Feng Shui Manhattan
New York Feng Shui Manhattan New York City Manhattan NYC Consultant Laura Cerrano is a Second Generation Certified Feng Shui Consultant who has trained with Feng Shui Long Island and Masters from across the Country including Shamans to incorporate Native American beliefs and Space Clearings into her Feng Shui Consulting Firm, Feng Shui Manhattan New York City NY. After co-consulting on site for many years Laura began her own business in 2000 and has a strong client base in New York City, New York, Long Island NY, Queens, Brooklyn, New Jersey and the rest of the New York Tri-State area.
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