Have you ever found yourself saying, once they pay me more money, I will start showing them what I can do? Or have you ever been offered a position or salary that is less than what you feel you deserve? For almost all of us the the answer is yes. My experience tells me that this is a backward approach to your overall success strategy.

So we all want the fire, but who wants to put in the log that will provide that fire? In other words, we all want to receive the pay and recognition of a superstar, but few will perform like a superstar for second string pay. The focus of this article is simply to encourage to shift your thinking. Be a superstar, then ask for the pay.

I was offered a position of running a large contact center temporarily until the company could find a replacement. This was a great position and the pay was well above where I currently was. Several people told me I needed to say no, unless the company would pay me for the job. I actually looked at it as a great opportunity to demonstrate I could perform at that level. I took the position, and after 3 months I was not only offered the position full-time, I received a rather large bonus. I was told they held the salary difference for the 3 months, and paid it to me once they knew I was the right one for the position.

If you are currently in a position where you feel underpaid, focus on your results. These are tangible things that you can accomplish that have solid benefits for the organization. When you feel you have a strong case and a list of clear accomplishments in your position, talk with your manager. Take the approach of how your accomplishments benefit the company. Do not present this as something that is not fair or that you deserve. If your manager walks away with a list of things you have accomplished that have clear bottom line benefits to the company, your chances of superstar pay will greatly increase.

So the next time you want fire, remember that you need to put in the log before you can enjoy the heat!!