Cash Guilt
Who are you and what effect does who you
I remember the day I talked to my business consultant and told her I couldn't charge more money. She challenged me to look at the value of what I was doing and I realized I was helping people save upwards of $100,000. I transform people's financial world but I wasn't charging them for that value.
Do you feel like you can't get ahead? There's a belief that's in the way. If you have cash, you stay open. If you don't have cash, your business has become a hobby and you have to move on. You can't hide from the cash conversation. I know a lot of entrepreneurs feel greedy for charging more, but the flip side of that is, they aren't making money and will have to close. Maybe you believe only takers charge a lot or you think the big guys charge lots of money so you won't. Not charging enough equals cash flow crazies.
The parable of the talents, in which the master gives each of his three servants talents according to their ability. He entrusted them with one, two, and five talents, respectively and when he went away the servants with five and two talents doubled their talents, while the last servant buried his talent out of fear of losing it. When the master returned he was pleased with the two who had brought back more than they were given and displeased with the one who hadn't. (Matthew 25:14-30)
That story is a reflection of what it means to be a servant. We will have to give an account of everything we'll be given in this life. I believe we will have to account for what we've done when our lives are over. Stewardship is about being accountable and moving forward, which includes being good at our business. Staying open is how we pay for our personal lives, schooling, and our employees, therefore, our job, our purpose is to charge enough to pay our bills. If you don't charge enough you don't get to stay open and you don't get permission to help other people.
You are a steward of all you've been given. You can charge a good price and stay in right standing with whatever higher power you believe in. Your homework is to figure out whether you're charging enough. I discuss three ways to price your product in previous posts and upcoming shows.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us." -Marianne Williamson