Feeling overworked and underpaid? If you’re starting to feel like you deserve a raise, here are eight DO’s and DON’Ts to build your confidence and tact (and what to avoid!) in asking for salary you feel you deserve.

DO

1. Devise a “Plan of Action”. First and foremost, get a strategy together. Make a note of specific projects you’ve undertaken and results you’ve accomplished. List all of your job skills and features that make you an asset to this company. Find out what a typical raise is for someone with your experience in your area of occupation. Know facts and be realistic in your request.

2. Ask for an amount that’s slightly higher than one you would be happy with. If you would be happy with a 5% raise, ask for one a couple of points above it. That way, if your boss starts to negotiate, you won’t feel as if your worth has been diluted any by getting less than what you feel you deserve.

3. Remember, your boss shouldn’t be only one negotiating. If your company is going through a slow period or economy is down, try to be flexible and know how to respond if your boss suggests a lower amount than what you may have been expecting. Consider other ways of getting a raise too, such as additional vacation time, employee perks or more time off. All of these can be just as good (if not better!) than an actual amount of money.

4. Choose a specific day and time to meet with your supervisor about your raise request. Avoid choosing a Monday or Friday when bosses are at their busiest. Studies have actually shown that people are more receptive on a Tuesday or Wednesday after lunch. That way, they’re not thinking about weekend or their stomachs while you’re getting up nerve to ask about a raise! If you’re afraid of being interrupted during your request, ask to speak to your supervisor for a few minutes after hours.

DON’T

My centre here in Bournemouth used to sell a wide range of books and one that I used to stock was a book called "The Power of Now" by a guy called Eckhart Tolle. Lots of people that came to classes, workshops and consultations at centre would often tell me how great it was and give me snippets of information about its content and for a number of years I would occasionally think “Yeah, I really should read that book” then kept on deciding that I would wait until later (yes, I am fully aware of irony in this!) Nevertheless, I am already sold on power of present moment, for a number of reasons:

My First reason - Only this present moment exists.

I think this is by far most compelling reason to put your attention on present moment. Yesterday doesn’t exist, except as a memory, with all unreliability we know to be true of memories; when you experienced yesterday, it was n-o-w. Tomorrow doesn’t exist either, except as an imaginary construct; when you experience tomorrow, it will be n-o-w. And as it’s all that exists, it’s a good idea to experience it, so, have a go at doing following…

1) Sit with your feet flat on floor, in a comfortable, aligned position (spine straight, hands on your thighs or at your sides, breathing comfortably.) With your eyes open or closed, allow yourself to become aware of different sounds, sights, smells & sensations around you. This is present moment.

That's right. This is present moment, & there are a number of good reasons for keeping your awareness in present as much as possible (in addition to first reason I gave.)

My Second Reason - There’s a whole lot more of it in store for you.

If you stop for a moment, you will realise that all experiences of your life will take place in a present moment. The more comfortable you are with present moment, more comfortable you’ll be with those future presents.

My Third Reason - The present is where you are.

If in doubt, look at your hands. Your hands only exist in present moment. Rub your fingers together, feel how it feels to be in this moment. Because it’s where your hands (& rest of your body) are located, so…

My Fourth Reason - The present is only time you can take action.

You can wish you took action yesterday (so many do; they rue day that.....), but yesterday no longer exists, so it will remain a wish. You can plan to take action in future, but when you take action, it will be in present moment. The only time you can take action is in this hot second.

My Fifth Reason - Wherever you’re headed, you presumably want to enjoy it when you get there. Get in habit of enjoying present now & you’ll be even better at enjoying then when you get there.