How much are you worth?

Last week I decided to put my prices up. I was feeling frazzled, over-worked, under-paid and running around like a chook with its head cut off. So I added 10% to my normal prices and sent a quote to a lady I’d seen that morning, and I got my first rejection. Hmmm… now apparently this is a good thing, if you don’t get complaints about your prices it’s supposed to mean you’re too cheap. So that’s OK. Or is it?

I sat with it for a few days and imagined living a life of luxury, the mansion on the hill, drinking pina coladas every day and working less hours for more money, you know, all those clichés. It felt lonely.  And I came to realise that none of that is what makes me happy. What gives me joy is helping other business people to make their dreams tangible, to use my skills to take their ideas and turn them into something that can be seen and touched. To give their business an identity that resonates with them and makes them proud. That, my friend, just lights my fire and gets me super excited!

So, I’ve decided I’m not in it for the big money. If I could afford to, I’d do this for free, seriously. Because I love it. But the reality is I need to eat and pay the bills and put fuel in my car, so I have to ask for money in exchange for my design services. This of itself is, in my estimation, an indication of the value of what I do. In return I value the services and skills that others can offer me, and I’m more than happy to pay them for it, so what goes around comes around.

I used to have a lot of trouble asking for money in exchange for my services, but as I learn to acknowledge that what I offer adds enormous value – not to mention the fact that I have years of experience and a hard-earned uni degree – it’s becoming easier.

Ultimately though, the thing that gives me joy and happiness is the thing I get to do every day. I wonder how many people can honestly say that their job makes them happy? I suspect there are more of us every day as we begin to understand the importance of happiness, and that’s a wonderful thing. What makes you happy?