Our choices, no matter how big or small, act as signals of our values and priorities, shaping not only how others perceive us but also how we see ourselves.
Especially when it involves money.
For example, just this past week:
1) I got a check for $0.24. (Yes, you read that correctly!)
2) I made two (2) choices that I am both excited and nervous about, because they require a significant financial commitment.
3) A client shared how she chose to pause her salary in order to pay bonuses to her employees—a choice that struck me as both noble and complex.
The Signals You Send
Take my 24-cent check, for instance. On the surface, it’s a tiny, almost laughable amount, but I deposited it sending a clear signal: I respect money, regardless of its scale. To others, it might seem trivial, but to me, it reinforces my belief in valuing every dollar.
Now consider the financial investments I’ve recently made in my business. These choices carry a different weight, signaling that I believe in my vision and am willing to take calculated risks to grow. To others, it says, “I’m serious about my goals.” To me, it’s a declaration of confidence—a reminder that I’m betting on myself.
And then there’s my client’s choice to pause her salary to pay employee bonuses. This action broadcasts generosity and gratitude, reinforcing her team’s value in the larger picture of her business.
Yet, it also raises deeper questions: What message does this send about the sustainability of her business? About the boundaries between personal and professional sacrifices?
At first glance, these examples may seem unrelated. But they share a common truth:
Every choice we make—whether it’s about pennies, thousands of dollars, or the well-being of others—sends a message.
These signals ripple outward to those around us and resonate deeply within ourselves, shaping not just perceptions but also the paths we choose to walk.
But, What Signals Are You Sending?
Every choice you make sends signals in multiple directions, often simultaneously: to yourself, to others, and, if you own a business, to your team, clients, and to your business itself (this may sound woo-woo, but don’t discount it!).
Understanding these different layers can help you align your choices with your values and goals.
The Stories You Tell: Yourself
The signals you send to yourself are perhaps the most profound, as they shape your mindset and self-perception.
When I chose to deposit my 24-cent check, it was a small, symbolic act that reminded me of my commitment to respect every dollar. Similarly, my financial investments in my business reinforce the confidence I want to carry into every choice I make.
As the leader of a business, here’s the risk my client runs when she puts herself last: she might internalize the idea that her well-being is less important than the business’ success. This mindset can be damaging*, both personally and professionally.
(*I’ve shared the story about my aha moment in 2003. It is why I am so adamant about one’s business centering the health of their personal finances. In the past I did minimize my well-being for the sake of my business—and it almost broke me financially, creatively, and energetically.)
So, when you’re about to make a choice, ask yourself:
- What story am I telling myself with this choice?
- Are you reinforcing a narrative of confidence and possibility?
- Are you unintentionally telling yourself that your needs don’t matter?
The Stories You Tell: Others
Your choices also broadcast signals to the people around you.
For example, my client’s choice to pause her salary to pay employee bonuses was a clear message to her team: I value your contributions, and I want you to know it. This kind of generosity can strengthen relationships, boost morale, and foster loyalty.
But signals to others aren’t always intentional. Sometimes, they can send unintended messages. For example:
- Does prioritizing bonuses over your own salary suggest to your team that their needs will always come first?
- Could it unintentionally set an expectation that personal sacrifices are standard?
Don’t own a business, then consider this: How might your choices be interpreted—and does that interpretation align with the message you want to convey?
The Stories You Tell: Your Business (Career)
My client’s choice to pause her salary, for instance, might create a precedent that influences how the business operates, what it prioritizes, and even how it grows.
If you own a business, you also need to consider the signals your business sends to “itself.”
- Does your business model convey a focus on long-term sustainability?
- Are your choices reinforcing trust and credibility with your clients, customers, or stakeholders?
These broader signals play a crucial role in shaping how your business thrives in the long run.
Don’t own a business? Then ask yourself: What signals are your professional choices sending to those who are helping to shape the trajectory of your career?
When you think about the choices you’ve made in just this last week, how will they shape your future? Or, how do you want them to shape your future?
Striking the Balance: Sacrifices vs. Impacts
Every choice exists at the intersection of competing priorities:
What needs attention now versus what builds resilience for the future.
Managing the tension between short-term sacrifices and long-term impact can be especially delicate when money and leadership are involved, as these choices affect multiple timelines and stakeholders.
Short-term Sacrifices
In the short term, choices like pausing your salary or making a bold financial investment are often motivated by urgent needs or immediate opportunities.
But short-term sacrifices often come with costs. For my client, the cost is financial and personal—choosing to forgo her own salary to prioritize her team. For me, it’s the emotional weight of taking risks and the pressure to ensure those investments pay off.
Long-term Impacts
The longer-term view raises different questions: What precedent am I setting? How will this choice ripple outward into the future?
Choices that feel right in the moment can create patterns that are harder to maintain.
For my client, the act of pausing her salary could signal to the business that it’s acceptable for the leader to deprioritize their financial needs whenever cashflow and revenue are not where they need to be.
For me, the long-term impact of my investments hinges on their success. They could lead to growth and opportunity or create financial strain if not managed effectively.
Striking the balance between short-term costs and the desired long-term impact isn’t always easy. It requires that you and I take a step back and assess not just the immediate impact of our choices but also the long-term implications to ourselves, to others, and to our businesses (careers).
Can You Choose the Signals You Send?
Not all choices are equal in terms of what is at stake. Not all choices require an extensive deliberative process.
But, all of your choices carry weight.
They don’t just solve immediate problems; they ripple outward, shaping perceptions, relationships, and the trajectory of your business (career).
And, all of your choices serve as a reminder to examine what your choices are really saying.
Sometimes, that message is loud and clear, and other times it’s more subtle. But always, your choices signal and say something.
Pay attention and look for the clues!
