S4 | 12: How To Increase Your Perceived Value

Funny story (but it’ll make you think)

A lady once borrowed millions of naira to get BBL surgery. After the procedure, her body changed completely—exactly what she was going for. But here’s the thing: she already had a plan to recoup every kobo. She’d show up at the airport more often and hit spots where high-spending individuals gather—politicians especially.

She understood something most people miss (even if her method was questionable):

If I increase my perceived value, I can command a premium price.

In my last Substack, I stressed that nobody owes you anything in life. But when you build genuine value around what people actually need and want, they’ll gladly become your customers, your fans, and your advocates.

Here’s what you need to understand about today’s world:

Perception has become reality.

What people can perceive is now more powerful than what’s objectively real. And if you’re smart, you’ll take advantage of this while staying authentic and making sure what people perceive is backed by substance.

Before I break down how to increase your perceived value, let me tell you about an interesting conversation I once had.

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The Conversation

Two years ago, I was talking to a lady I was genuinely interested in.

She had everything I looked for:

→ Exceptional height
→ Sharp mindset
→ Entrepreneurial drive
→ C-suite presence
→ And yes, broad hips and beautiful legs (don’t judge me—God knows your type too)

She had most of what I wanted. That’s what made her valuable to me.

That’s the whole idea behind value proposition—you have what someone wants.

During our conversation, she mentioned she’d lived all her life comfortably and wouldn’t settle for a broke guy. Fair enough. I wasn’t one anyway.

But I shifted the conversation.

I stopped talking about “being broke” as the problem. Being broke is just the symptom.

The real issue?

A guy/lady is broke because he hasn’t built value that people are willing to pay for.

I told her I don’t stress over guys with or without money. I focus on the guy who’s building value consistently—because he can’t stay broke. If he keeps building, he’ll attract the resources he deserves.

That conversation summed up why most people struggle financially.

Not because they’re unlucky.

Nobody pays you just for existing.

People only pay because you offer the value they need.

I could’ve spent all my time and energy trying to “bag” that woman because she seemed to have what I wanted.

But the same principle applies in reverse: if I want her attention, I need to have what she wants.

That’s how value works.

The moment you identify a pain or problem or need people have and offer the solution, they’ll gladly pay you or give you attention.

If you want to increase your value—and attract more rewards, payment, or respect—here are three things to focus on.

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#1 Signal Value Before You Even Open Your Mouth

People decide if you’re worth their time in the first 7–10 seconds.

That’s it. No second chance.

The lady with the BBL? She understood this perfectly (even if her method was extreme). She changed the signals her body sent—curves, confidence, how she carried herself, and suddenly doors opened that were previously locked.

You don’t need surgery.
You just need to send the right signals.

Here’s how:

Dress one level above the room you’re entering. If everyone’s wearing native, wear clean, well-fitted native with good shoes and a watch. If it’s corporate, wear the suit that fits like it was tailored (even if you bought it secondhand and altered it).

Fix the small things. Clean shoes. Neat haircut. Good posture. Eye contact. Firm handshake or warm smile.

Curate your online presence. Your WhatsApp DP, Instagram stories, and LinkedIn profile—it’s all signalling. Post content that shows you’re thoughtful, competent, and winning quietly. No thirst traps. No rants. No “broke” energy.

I know someone in Abuja who sells luxury watches. He’s not the cheapest option, but he always wears one of his own pieces, dresses sharply, and drives a clean Camry (not even fancy). People assume he’s big-time. He closes deals faster because he looks the part.

Beginners ignore signalling and wonder why no one takes them seriously.

Fix the signals first. Perceived value starts before you speak.

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#2 Become Useful in a Specific Way That People Actually Pay For

General “hard work” doesn’t pay.

Specific, useful skills that solve real problems do.

That lady I mentioned? She wanted a man who could provide comfort and security. That’s a specific want. If a guy can reliably deliver that (through business, career, or hustle), he becomes valuable to her.

On the flip side, she identified what (she thinks) her ideal guy wanted and improved on it. People want what they want—that’s reality. Take advantage of it.

Same principle in business or career:

• Pick one problem people around you complain about constantly

• Become the person who solves it better than anyone else

Examples for beginners in Nigeria today:

• Learn to create clean Canva designs + simple Reels → businesses will pay ₦50k–₦200k monthly to manage their social media

• Master Excel + basic data analysis → companies will pay ₦300k+ to organize their messy sales data.

• Learn copywriting that sells (study adverts that actually work) → brands will pay ₦100k–₦500k to write for them.

• Become the best phone photographer/editor in your circle → events, weddings, and small businesses will call you first.

The key: start small and get proof fast.

Do free or cheap work for 3–5 people. Get testimonials and before/after shots. Post them.

Suddenly, your perceived value jumps because people can see you deliver.

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#3 Deliver So Well That People Feel Stupid Leaving You

The fastest way to lock in respect, repeat payment, and referrals is to overdeliver.

Most people do the bare minimum and expect loyalty. That’s backwards.

When someone pays you (or even gives you attention), give them more than they expected:

• If they pay ₦100k for a service, throw in something that feels like ₦50k extra

• Reply to messages fast and warmly

• Remember small details about them—their birthday, their goals, their child’s name

• Check in after the job: “How’s the design working? Need any tweaks?”

When you overdeliver consistently, people talk about you. Their friends ask, “Who did that for you?” Your name spreads. Your perceived value compounds.

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Wrapping this up

You don’t need to be perfect.

You just need to:

1. Signal competence and seriousness from the start

2. Solve one specific problem better than most

3. Overdeliver so well that people feel indebted to you

Do these three things consistently for 6–12 months, and something funny happens:

• Opportunities start chasing you.

• People respect you without you asking.

• Money flows more easily.

• Attention comes naturally.

Perception becomes your reality—but only when you back it with real substance.

Start with just one of these today.

Which one are you picking?

Drop it in the comments. I will read and reply to every single one.

This Is Your Arena

Day 12 of 100 Hours of Personal Growth

When you understand that people are attracted to you mainly because of the value you have that can address their needs, you’ll learn to focus on increasing your value every single day.

No days off.

Stay strong.

— Multidimensionally yours, JG

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PS: Dr. Olumide Emmanuel shares a profound truth about how to increase your value. If you like success and more money, you’ll love to watch it.

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PPS: I feel attacked already and see a need to leave a disclaimer: 1) In my opinion, BBL is not perceived value (I don’t advocate for it or endorse it). 2) I’m sorry (not sorry), I still like what I like, and God loves my honesty. T for Thanks.

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