It all started with a number on a piece of paper. No, not a lottery ticket, not a mysterious inheritance—just my payslip. But this particular number made me realise something important: I was being undervalued. And if I could fix that, it would be a direct boost to my journey toward my next 100K.

Now, before you imagine me storming into the office waving stats and charts like a stockbroker on caffeine, let me be clear: the approach was surprisingly simple. It just required three things: knowing my worth, asking boldly, and delivering tangible value.

Why This Matters

Here’s the hard truth: most people don’t ask for what they’re worth. Some are scared of rocking the boat. Some underestimate their value. Some settle for incremental increases while the real opportunity sails past them.

But here’s the exciting part: your income is a lever. Even a single 35% increase isn’t just a bigger number on a payslip—it’s the fastest way to accelerate toward your next 100K. Think of it as buying a shortcut in the game of financial growth. More money now gives you options, freedom, and the capital to invest in your next move.

And yes, asking for it boldly is scary. But that’s exactly why it works.

Knowing Your Worth

Step one is simple, but often ignored: know what your role is actually worth. I didn’t just guess. I printed out comparable positions, salaries, and responsibilities. I created a paper trail proving that my work had a measurable market value.

This research served two purposes:

1. It grounded my confidence in facts rather than feelings.
2. It gave me leverage in the negotiation.

Here’s the mindset shift that made all the difference: I didn’t care what my boss would think. Most people might ask for a modest 5% increase and feel slighted if they get 4%. I went in asking for 40%, expecting them to push back. The result? They agreed to 20%—exactly what I had hoped for—and I walked away thrilled.

Knowing your worth isn’t arrogance; it’s strategy. Without it, you’re negotiating in the dark.

Asking Boldly and Strategically

Here’s the thing: people often underestimate the power of a bold ask. Not reckless, not entitled—bold. There’s a difference.

I walked in and made my case clearly, backed by stats and evidence, and I asked for more than I expected to receive. The key is casting a wider net. Even if your initial number seems outrageous, the counteroffer often lands closer to the goal you actually want.

A few practical tips:

• Prepare your stats and achievements. Numbers speak louder than adjectives.
• Frame your ask in terms of value you bring, not just what you want.
• Accept the negotiation; it’s part of the process, not a personal rejection.

And yes, a small dose of fearlessness helps. If you’re already employed, the risk of asking boldly is often far lower than your mind imagines.

Adding Tangible Value

Negotiation alone doesn’t get the results—you have to back it up with action. For me, that meant committing an extra hour each morning to cover staff shortages. It was a simple, measurable way to show that my ask wasn’t just about greed—it was about creating more value for the company.

Key lessons for adding tangible value:

• Identify areas where your effort has high impact.
• Make it measurable. Sales numbers, project completions, or team support all count.
• Demonstrate that extra effort aligns with the company’s needs.

By pairing a bold ask with real contributions, I made it almost impossible to say no. And that 35% increase didn’t just boost my monthly income—it accelerated my path to my next 100K. For example, an initial 20K salary plus a 20% raise becomes 24K, and by adding extra effort, that income effectively rose to 27K—almost a 35% jump in tangible earnings.

Turning the Lesson into Action

So, how can you apply this to your own financial journey? Here are three reflection questions to get you started:

1. Am I being paid what I’m truly worth, or am I leaving value on the table?
2. Which measurable achievements could I highlight to justify a bigger raise or opportunity?
3. How could I turn extra income into momentum toward my next 100K milestone?

These aren’t just questions to ponder—they’re prompts for action. Write down your achievements. Calculate your impact. Identify opportunities where you can deliver more value. And when the moment comes, ask boldly.

Remember: building your next 100K isn’t about luck. It’s about strategy, courage, and measurable results. A well-researched, confident, value-backed raise can be the fastest, simplest, and most rewarding step you take toward that goal.