Do you routinely, and for no rational reason, charge less than fair market value for your products or services? Do you take less so someone, lesser or equally entitled, can have more? Do you accept gifts and compliments graciously?
There are those who may benefit from a talk about overcharging and taking advantage, but this post is for the legions of people who, knowingly and unknowingly, block abundance from flowing into their lives.
A few months ago, I talked with a woman who runs a busy bookkeeping service. She mentioned that she’d let her assistant go because she couldn’t afford to keep her. She explained that her clients were under financial strain and she was looking for ways to help them. On top of that, her friends were struggling financially and she’s made several loans that weren’t paid back.
I asked her what her rates were. When I learned that she’d been charging the same rates for SEVEN years, and they were far lower than anyone else around, I asked why not raise them to fair market value. She balked, citing the economy and fear of losing her clients.
Understanding her fears, I offered her the following:
No one should work for less than the market value of their work. Should they? Ask yourself. Generally, this question when applied to anyone other than the undercharging person is always answered, “Of course not.” Inherently, we know there is something wrong with paying someone less than they deserve, though some people feel giddy when they manage to do so. It’s not the message you want to send to the Universe.
This is a friendly Universe and, when left to itself, flows in unbounded abundance. The ocean doesn’t count or control how many waves hit shore, a citrus tree doesn’t have a quota that once reached stops production, the sun does not just shine on the people who “deserve” it. Nature’s abundance knows no limit. Align your thoughts with this truth rather than the psychologically driven sways in the economy. Many people succeed no matter the conditions. Include yourself in that group.
Abundance flows in a cycle similar to breathing. One must inhale to exhale. One must receive to give. Hindering either action blocks the flow and results in deficiency. The entire cycle is strengthened when you and your customer/employer exchange fairly and joyfully.
People value what they pay for. Paying for a product or service instills an affirmative belief in the object’s value to the buyer. Examples of people at large failing to show up, care for, or value what they’ve spent little or nothing on abound.
Her eyes lit up and I saw that she understood and agreed with me. Yet, within moments, heaviness returned. Then the truth came out. She was afraid to raise her prices because she felt unworthy of earning more. She didn’t believe it was “okay” for her to have an abundant income. Wanting to eliminate any legitimate reason for her belief, I asked about her level of expertise and quality of work product. She was over-qualified and 100% of her clients came by enthusiastic referral.
As with all people, the woman’s finances were a direct reflection of her beliefs. She must do the inner work required to shift her beliefs and make positive changes in her behavior around money. I asked her to consider making the following changes:
From now on, accept ALL gifts and compliments graciously (if the gift isn’t to your liking, re-gift it later). Look the giver in the eye, smile and thank them (you are thanking the Universe for using that person to give you a gift).
Spend 15 minutes a day in a guided meditation that heals your beliefs about money so that you position yourself to take advantage of opportunities, attract and accept abundance easily. I trust mine because I’ve witnessed the stunning results they create.
Research five people who do what you do, with your level of experience, and under comparable conditions (geography, etc), average their rates for the same work and raise your rates to the averaged number.
Learn to say ‘No’ to requests that make life more difficult for you. Saying no is not rude, rejecting or inappropriate. It is an exercise in developing competent self-care. Don’t ‘hmm and haw’ when saying it, either. Don’t explain why you have to say it, unless you really really really want to. The simplest most effective way is to say it nicely, once and be quiet. Learn to be comfortable with the silence in conversations. It’s okay.
Never make a loan. If you cannot give the money as a gift, do not do it. (Btw, you will rarely, if ever, save another from their plight, you’ll just delay it.) If you can give it away, there is no need to tell the person it’s a gift. If it comes back in the future, wonderful.
See yourself as a critical part of the Universal Balance and recognize your responsibility and obligation to support abundance and fairness by joyously circulating resources, giving and receiving.
Bravely, she implemented everything we discussed. Not one of her clients has left. One even mentioned that he’d wondered how she’d ever made it on her prior rates. She’s re-hired her assistant and is able to take a vacation this year. Her curiosity is ignited, too. She’s learning more about herself and the reasons she’d shut herself inside an imaginary box.
We create our limitations and that is wonderful because, as their creators, we can destroy them.
~ Cynthia
This post prompted me to buy your money beliefs meditation. thank you.
Deborah – please keep in touch with me and let me know how your practice goes. When the messages become your own, you’ll be on your way to real prosperity. Bless you.
Cynthia
Thank you Cynthia
I find your writing not only insitefull and always on the mark, You also give concrete steps and processes that allows the reader to carry the learning forward into thier life. You are a great teacher for me.
Kevin
Thank you Cynthia
I find your writing not only insitefull and always on the mark, You also give concrete steps and processes that allows the reader to carry the learning forward into thier life. You are a great teacher for me.
Kevin
Hi Cynthia,
Bought your MP3 after reading this nice article. Thank you.
Blessings from Malaysia.
Hi Cynthia,
Bought your MP3 after reading this nice article. Thank you.
Blessings from Malaysia.
Wonderful, I am eager to hear of your progress. Please keep in touch.
Hi Cynthia,
Great post. Many of us have had or still do valuing ourselves appropriately. Limiting beliefs are usually the root cause of it.
I like what you said about gifting money as opposed to loaning it. Learning to say "no" is another great point that you made.
Thanks, Justin. It’s really nice of you to take the time to write. 🙂
Hi Cynthia,
Great post. Many of us have had or still do valuing ourselves appropriately. Limiting beliefs are usually the root cause of it.
I like what you said about gifting money as opposed to loaning it. Learning to say "no" is another great point that you made.
Did you write this for me??? Just kidding, I know I'm one of millions that are guilty of undercharging (especially in this economy where competition for jobs is fierce), but I'm getting better, thanks to you. I got to the point where I decided my work is too physically demanding to exert the energy for less than what it is worth. I found some (it wavers) faith in somehow the bills always get paid, let go and became willing to be turned down for someone undercutting me with a "you get what you pay for attitude.". I'm excellent at what I do, and worth every penny.
Jewels, the media always focuses on those who exploit and gouge. This leaves us under the false impression that the world is full of people who take advantage. It’s full of just as many who pave the way to be taken advantage of, by failing to ask for what they are worth. I’m glad you’re over that. 🙂
Jewels, the media always focuses on those who exploit and gouge. This leaves us under the false impression that the world is full of people who take advantage. It’s full of just as many who pave the way to be taken advantage of, by failing to ask for what they are worth. I’m glad you’re over that. 🙂
yes
yes
Yes! Even when I started selling Avon, I felt like I should’t be asking for payment – especially when the order was a big one! lol x
Thank you, Cynthia, I just emailed this to myself so that I can have it to refer to…everyday!
When we started our shop, The Wooden Spoon, I had to price out our sandwiches. In comparing our previous prices to other deli bakeries around, I had been under pricing ourselves for a few years, while we did not lose money, we were not as well as we could have. We initially had sticker shock when we posted our menu but we are glad that we did and we are getting quality customers, repeats at that!
When we started our shop, The Wooden Spoon, I had to price out our sandwiches. In comparing our previous prices to other deli bakeries around, I had been under pricing ourselves for a few years, while we did not lose money, we were not as well as we could have. We initially had sticker shock when we posted our menu but we are glad that we did and we are getting quality customers, repeats at that!
Fabulous Cristina Diaz Yake! Does your store have a website?
Fabulous Cristina Diaz Yake! Does your store have a website?
Yes, Yes, No. erm ….
Yes, Yes, No. erm ….
Thank you for this perfectly timed reminder Cynthia! 🙂 x
Thank you for this perfectly timed reminder Cynthia! 🙂 x
Cristina Diaz Yake – I took your link down because google kicked it back saying it has malware – are you sure you entered the right address?
Cristina Diaz Yake – I took your link down because google kicked it back saying it has malware – are you sure you entered the right address?
Looks like I need to call my host server and have them ck it out. Thanks for the headsup. My pc has not dectected anything… I will let you know when they fix it. Thanks Cynthia!
Hi Cynthia, just got word from my host that all malware has been cleared. Want to give it a shot?
Yes! Repost the link please 🙂
Yes! Repost the link please 🙂
http://www.thewoodenspoonllc.com