When Saying “No” Leads to A Far More Satisfying “Yes”

Eighteen months ago, I was offered one of my dream jobs; two days after the offer I turned the job down. It was the perfect job in every way: it allowed me to pursue one of my passions while still making a reasonable living wage and all without having to pull hours at more than one place of employment. But the finer details of the job offer were all wrong, and I think you know what I mean by the finer details. I felt like such a failure, and maybe a little bit like a crazy person, for turning down the job that could open doors for me, but at that point in my life I was not willing to accept an offer that was less than what I am worth.

It was a big step for me, admitting that I am worth more than other people say I am, and taking a stand in the face of people who were unwilling or unable to value me as much as I value myself. If you will not stand up for your own worth, then who will? The answer is that no one will; you must set the precedent.

So, I said thank you, but no thank you, and these are the reasons why, and if you change your mind on these finer details then keep me in mind for the future. I think they were shocked that I told them no; I was shocked that I told them no! It did not feel like the right thing at the time, but the best was yet to come.