I love this story, and think it’s a great example of how to stop thinking of an time/money exchange and start thinking of an experience/money exchange. It’s hard to get your head around charging more, particularly with the healing industry. There seems to be this ‘do-gooder’ attitude that we should work for free to save the world, but I see a big prob with this model, because if you don’t charge enough, then you can’t continue to help people, and it’s a bit of a lose/lose situation.
I used to do heaps of work for free. And often worked at reduced rates. Since I’ve started charging what I truly think I’m worth, in terms of people’s results, I’ve never been busier. It’s worth thinking about this for yourself. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the story!
A giant ship engine failed. The ship’s owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine.
Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a young. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom.
Two of the ship’s owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life. He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed!
A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars.
“What?!” the owners exclaimed. “He hardly did anything!”
So they wrote the old man a note saying, “Please send us an itemized bill.”
The man sent a bill that read:
Tapping with a hammer………………….. $ 2.00
Knowing where to tap…………………….. $ 9,998.00
Great yarn isn’t it! I’d love to hear your experiences with working for free, changing your charge rates, how you package yourself! Please comment below lovelies and share your experiences!
With love,
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What a great story with a lesson for all of us!
Thanks Caroline! Yep, I love this story … and it’s principle is sound!