CONSIDER WHAT YOU DO REGULARLY AND FOR PROFIT

I was recently asked to use my "influence" to secure the services of a talented friend. I wasn't aware I had any “influence”.

My friend has a business manager, and I referred the inquiring person to him. Apparently the business manager's reply, though polite, was not satisfactory. 

In order to achieve the goal, I was told, "a little red tape needs to be removed", and cost lowered considerably, however, my friend's services were still desired. 
"Can you just ask him yourself and see if he will do it?" 

I wondered why the person didn't just say that the first time. 

I sensed that they expected me to say, "Sure! I'll ask him. He'll do it for me!", but I replied that, in a business transaction, entities are in place to protect the interests of all parties involved. 

Friendship was not the issue, nor would I assist someone else in devaluing the work of a friend. 

Why is it so easy for people to seek and expect discounts when it comes to certain professional services, and not others? If a fee is in place, there's a reason, and that fee should be honored unless a decision is made to forgo it.

It was clear that the person sought me out in order to get a hook up. 

The strength of my friendships do not depend on whether or not I can convince my friends to do what I want, or do a favor for someone else. 

I have to admit I was a little miffed by the poor attempt at reverse psychology. 

Between the lines I read, "If you're REALLY a friend you can just ask him, and he will do it". That may very well be true, but I love my friend. I highly value his life's work. Frankly, whatever the fee was, I don't think it's high enough, considering, among other things, the excellent quality of his work. Further, I would never ask him to do anything for ME for less that what his services are worth. What would make a stranger think that he was so special?

WHY do people think it's okay to enrich themselves or their program with the services of others, but complain about the worth of the services they seek?

Consider what you do regularly and for profit. 

Consider your salary. 

Now consider someone asking you to work for a fraction of it--or for free, but the hours and amount of work remain the same.

Consider what you do regularly, and for profit. 

Now consider someone coming to your workplace and telling you that your salary is too high, and asking you if you would reduce it so that they can afford to use your services in a venture in which THEY will surely make a profit.

Consider what you do regularly and for profit. 

Now consider your boss coming to you on payday and offering you a piece of sheet cake, some chicken wings on a paper plate, and a cup of fruit punch and saying, "Thank you".

Consider what you do regularly and for profit. 

If you value the work that YOU do, and believe that the salary you receive is due, why expect others to labor for a fraction of what they are worth--or for nothing at all?

Consider what you do regularly and for profit, and remember it every time you seek the services of another professional--especially when it's time to compensate them. 

Yes. There is a time for charity. Certainly. There is a time to volunteer. When it comes to someone's livelihood however, we often forget that it took countless hours of study, practice, money, and sacrifice and is worth every penny to benefit from it-- and then some. 

Perhaps the seeming ease with which some tasks are done cause us to view them as mere hobbies. Perhaps we think that people should be glad to entertain us with their talents, especially when their talent is in abundance. 

When our perceptions prove false and users CAN'T get something for nothing, they’re ready to bash, criticize, and destroy the reputations of the very people they so desperately seek. 

They get angry when people wake up and realize that what they have to offer is valuable, and can sustain their lives and the lives of their families. 

People have the nerve to get mad when other people realize it, too, and willingly pay out of their appreciation for the work. 

People get mad, and trot out the itinerary for the religious guilt trip when they can't get what they want. 

"Oh they're not all that!" 

Then why did you want them so badly? 

“Whatever happened to ministry?" 

Funny. Ministry never came up in the committee meeting when the question of "who could secure the biggest crowd" was on the table. "Whatever happened to 'freely receive, freely give?" No. Whatever happened to treating people the way YOU would want to be treated? 

Obviously, some people read, "Do unto others" and then closed the book.

Consider what you do regularly and for profit, and consider that other professionals have done the same. If you can't afford what you want, or think the cost is unreasonable, there are always options. 

Either save until you can afford it, or seek the services of someone else, but don't attempt to undercut another person, or demean them or their work. 

Remember. There is a reason why you sought them in the first place. They ARE good, and CAN get the job done. 

No one should have to apologize for being efficient, effective and excellent. Some people actually appreciate those qualities. 

Rest assured, what you won't or can't pay for, someone else will do so gladly.