Katie Piper: Why I learnt to say no to more money

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but here it goes: sometimes, hard work isn’t enough by itself. It’s not easy, I know that – especially at a time when the job market is tough. But if you want to progress at work, get that promotion or bag a pay rise you need to do more. That means getting organised, taking practical steps, building your confidence, being bold and having uncomfortable conversations. Here are five steps to maximising your earnings potential. Shout about it I was always taught that turning up, working hard and being reliable were the most important things you could do, and that opportunities would naturally follow. Shorts But while I believe in work ethic, and that’s something I want to instil in my children, I know that it’s not always the people who work hardest that make the most money. Sometimes you have to be the person who asks for more. Know how to display what you want. Speak to your manager about career paths and opportunities for progression. Understand what they are looking for and whether there is any further training or development you can do to get there. Don’t just wait for someone else to recognise your potential – have the confidence to shout about it. Working hard is no guarantee of getting ahead. If you want a promotion, pay rise or new role – you need to ask for it. Get organised Before you start a conversation with a manager or go into a negotiation about a contract, take some time to do your research and prepare. Ask yourself: what do I bring to the table? That might be evidence of your achievements, records or your sales, or the strategy you plan to put in place. I call it a source of truth, and it’s the evidence that backs up what you are asking for. In any conversation about earnings, it’s important to have a base point. Know how much you need to live on – what does it take to be you? That’s your starting point. You can use AI, Glassdoor or forums like Reddit to research wages, but it’s hard to know how accurate these are for certain jobs. If possible, speak to your peers, colleagues or reach out to people who have previously worked at the company to try and get any insights into what’s on offer. This can be awkward and not everyone likes talking about money, but the more open we are with each other, the more power it gives us to negotiate. If you can’t talk about money, you’re probably being paid less than someone who can. Know what a good deal really looks like That said, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that money is everything. In a world of social media, it can be tempting to think that a high salary is the be and end all, but this isn’t always the case. In fact, because of frozen tax thresholds, it could even leave you worse off. Instead, consider the entire package. How generous is the pension scheme, for example, and what is the annual leave allowance? Is there flexibility if you need to pick up the kids from school or are there opportunities for further training? Think about what actually works for you. Sometimes the best deal isn’t the one offering the most money. Appreciate your skills – and learn new ones Those who have taken a career break to raise kids, care for parents, or for any other reason, often feel like they have to accept less when they come back to work. Flip that mentality on its head. Doing those things has helped you develop new skills, which you shouldn’t underestimate. It may have taught you to be organised, empathetic or to navigate a complicated care system. They are transferable skills that add to your value in a workplace, so don’t undersell yourself. Don’t be afraid to diversify. I’ve seen plenty of people who have been made redundant, then tried something new and found a passion which has brought them even more success. They might have been a researcher on a TV show who is now producing their own podcast, or a fashion magazine writer who is now making a killing as a content creator. Adversity is what makes us progress, so we shouldn’t be scared of it – even if it feels difficult at the time. Learn the power of ‘No’ It’s tempting to say “yes” to every opportunity, thinking that will help you progress – but that is not always true. Saying no can be powerful. Being self-employed and learning the art of saying no has been a really important lesson for me. But not every opportunity is the right opportunity. You might think that saying no leaves you without work, but sometimes it gives you more energy, time and space so you’re ready when the right opportunity does come along. Saying no doesn’t always mean closing the door – sometimes it can open a different conversation about: what could work instead? Women in particular are often more reluctant to negotiate or say no because we don’t want to be seen as being greedy, awkward or difficult – but if you don’t advocate for yourself, who will?