Note to Self: Believe You're Worth It!
At a time when everyone is wondering about the "cost" of things, it may help to remind yourself that what you get paid is a reflection of what you've done to be WORTH IT! This doesn't mean pulling a price randomly out of thin air. Nor does it mean only charging what "others" charge, either. That's because what YOU DID and what YOU DO to be worth it is YOURS ALONE.
Many years ago, on one of my first trips outside New England as a speaker, I delivered a half-day event for someone who was a LEGEND in the speaking business. Kay was someone I looked up to professionally and personally: Poised, confident, knowledgeable and incredibly generous. She not only delivered great sessions across the country, she often volunteered to deliver education to her peers and colleagues in various associations and social gatherings. When she invited me to speak for her, I jumped for joy. I quoted her a price, jumped on a plane, and delivered my heart-out for her that day.
Afterward, we had lunch, and she gave me some of the best advice in my career.
"You did a wonderful job today," Kay started.
"Thanks! It means a lot coming from you," I replied.
"It's clear that you've prepared, practiced and put your heart into your craft. It shows," she continued. "But may I give you a little advice?"
"Anything," I said, ready to listen to anything she would offer.
"Don't ever charge so little for yourself again. You completely undercharged me for what you delivered. And you're going to get a lot of people who want to book you at that fee," Kay said.
"I'm confused," I replied. "Don't I want a lot of business?"
"Not if you're undercharging for it," she said. "You'll end up busy, but out of business. Worse, you'll end up burned out. Which will affect your delivery, and people will notice and ultimately," she paused,
"Nobody will hire a burned-out speaker who's doing a poor job because he's not being paid enough."
I tell this story to my students every time I can. Too many of them are doing way much for too little. Some run around all day - for weeks and months! - and don't get paid at all. Others are delivering three, five and TEN times the value of what they charge - and have tipped over into working around the clock, unable to set limits, compromising on their health, family time and personal goals.
Some have charged so little for so long, they are leaving their business. If only someone could remind them not to burn out.
Why? There are lots of explanations. They don't want to be greedy. They know others don't charge as much. It's always been done that way. They don't want to "lose" business by increasing their fees. Maybe they don't even believe they deserve to be successful.
But the end result is always the same:
Great people burning themselves out because they need to be reminded what they are WORTH!
So let me say it for anyone who needs to hear it today:
IF you put in the time, effort, focus -
IF you train and practice and improve -
IF you deliver the goods and make good on your promises -
IF you have people asking for YOU to help them reach their goals:
YOU ARE WORTH IT!
The BEST surgeon is worth more.
The BEST lawyer is worth more.
The BEST teacher is worth more.
The BEST salesperson is worth more.
(And if you're not the BEST yet, that's okay - charge what you're worth - certainly more than FREE - on your journey to get there!)
There's no chance you'll go crazy with your price. Give yourself the BENEFIT (and drop the doubt).
If you don't get paid what you're worth today,
you risk not being worth what you'll be offered tomorrow.
The most important thing that should be affected by "inflation" today is your CONFIDENCE that - if you've done everything you can - you're WORTH everything you ask.
Just thought you should know!