My Disastrous Day as an Underpaid TV Extra: An Important Lesson in Self-Worth

For many years I went from job to job, trying to find my place in the world. I went in and out of corporate life and started different businesses but nothing stuck so I'd often do temp work to fill the financial gaps.

Once I signed up as a film and TV extra. I am a major movie buff, so I thought it would be fun, and earn me some handy cash while I was setting up my business.

I got a two day job for a gambling commercial, getting to fly in a harness which sounded like a lot of fun. I knew being an extra wasn't all glamorous but it also sounded like an easy way to earn cash.

However, the experience really taught me the value of self-worth and how my negative thoughts around my value were sabotaging me and keeping me trapped in a pattern.

The first bad news was getting up at 5am to get to set on time. (I'm just not a morning person). But then I realised that the environment itself wasn't particularly positive either.

Most of the other extras were like me (funding a different passion), but there were also a lot of people who are not really living their dreams. Harsh, but some of the most complaining people ever – lots of the “shoulda, woulda, coulda”.

Be aware of toxic environments because of how they make you feel. Many women I coach with are "spongy" people - they absorb thoughts and feelings of others easily and that's exactly what I was doing. I found myself enthusiastically complaining along with the others.

I didn't need any excuse to have a complain back then! I loved it.

Towards the end of the day, we were asked to stay another 5 and a half hours without being paid any extra money. I desperately needed the money, so I agreed, but running through my head was:

Resentment... "I’ve been ripped off, I’m never paid what I’m worth”

Beating myself up... “I always get myself in these situations. I should have said no”

Feeling trapped... ”I can’t believe I have to come back tomorrow… I have no choice"

Feeling poor... ”I never have enough money”…I’m going to run out of money soon"

Many times we agree to something because our self-worth isn't strong enough to resist. We put ourselves in unpleasant, boring, stressful or negative situations because we don't dare to believe that life can be easy.

You may decide, "No more!" about a particular reoccurring situation and yet, you'll find yourself there again and again.

This is particularly true if you've decided to upgrade your life - your tolerance for toxic situations will be tested constantly. It's sometimes extremely confusing and painful.

Ask yourself what situations are repeating in your life whether it's the same relationship or going back into similar jobs. You could be running out of money every month or attracting the same negative friends.

Are you ready to give that up? If you've hit rock bottom, are you willing to hand in your shovel?!

The very first step of the Inspired Life Formula is "Declutter your life physically and emotionally" and some of that may be to say "never again" to situations, people, jobs or environments that no longer serve your highest good.

I love these words from Louise Hay's book, You Can Heal Your Life

I am willing to change.

I choose to react as though I have found a treasure when I discover something else to release.

I see and feel myself changing moment by moment.

Thoughts no longer have any power over me.

I am the power in my world. I choose to be free.

All is well in my world.

You can decide. You are worthy of having a fun, adventurous and prosperous life.