KNOW YOUR WORTH: POETRY PROMPT

"Oh...Ummm... Do I have to pay you? 

Oh. Never mind, then. That's okay. Thanks anyway."

 
Now who's supposed to feel badly? You or them?

Instead of recognizing what you do as legitimate work, many people seek to acquire your particular skill for their use--and without compensating you. 

They should be ashamed. Instead, they're disappointed, confused, offended, mad, appalled, full of questions and judgment, and off to plan B.

Guess what you should do next, Mr. or Ms.:

Mechanic, 

Accountant, 

Lawyer, 

Beautician, 

Plumber, 

Tutor, 

Stylist, 

Singer, 

Contractor, 

Musician, 

Chef, 

Nurse, 

Chauffeur, 

Dancer, 

Editor, 

Consultant, 

Landscaper, 

Babysitter...? 

Whatever you were doing before you were asked to work for free--even if it was nothing at all. 

That date on your calendar, that someone thought they could fill with their priorities, is still yours. 

You can attend to your own priorities. 

You have lost nothing--not time, energy, effort, or resources--by appeasing someone who wants your skill, but devalues you.

Consumers seek and want particular service providers because they know they're competent; 

They know that certain people will make a significant contribution; add to a thing; draw others; provide excellent service; or even make them look good in the eyes of others. When there's a fee required, however, many consumers aren't as enthusiastic or complimentary about what a service provider brings to the table. 

People want to go to the concert, but only if they can get comp tickets. 

They want that new music, but only if someone else burns a copy. 

They want someone to perform at their event, and offer food as currency as if the band hadn't planned to eat that day. 

When some people find that they have to pay, they get awfully fickle and indignant. 

"Oh, he ain't all that"; 

"She's not that good. 

I can get so-and-so to do it for nothing!" 

The lament in religious circles is, "Whatever happened to ministry?", to which service providers should reply, "Whatever happened to "Thou shalt not steal" or "the workman is worthy of his wages"?  

(Some manipulators go so far as to affix a service provider's name to an event's program to shame them into showing up; they'll even advertise a service provider's participation in an attempt to guilt them into working--and deliberately neglect to compensate them.)

Consumers want service providers to come with all of the rags, polish, and elbow grease to make a thing shine, but not if it costs them anything. 

Is a service provider really supposed to be anxious, jealous, or worried when a consumer threatens to secure the services of someone else? Poor schmuck. Delusion is a beast. The person they brag about, that they can get to do it (whatever it is), for free is the person they should have phoned first.

 Maybe people don't realize it, but consent and participation cost. 

People don't consider what expenses you may have to incur in order to prepare for or take on a job. 

If you're going to leave home, why shouldn't it be worth your while? 

If you're going to work, why shouldn't you expect to be fairly compensated? 

You definitely shouldn't find that you've spent more than you're going to earn. 

Know the parameters of the job before you say, "Yes". Some things simply are not worth your while.

Some people greatly value you, and what you have to offer. Appreciate them greatly for their integrity, understanding, and respect. 

On the other hand, some people are always, always, always trying to get over; always inconsiderately disregarding your livelihood, and clearly regarding it as if it is a hobby. 

What they value is their ability to get something for nothing. Endeavor to confound clueless creatures like these from now on, but in order to do that, you have to know and believe in your worth. 

Be done with what people think; stop worrying that the phone won't ring unless you continue dealing with opportunists. 

Value yourself.

I'm a little fed up with users, and people who always expect others to pay to play. 

Wrote a little poem about it. 

Wanna hear it? 

Here it goes:

ODE TO WORKERS, CHEAPSKATES, USERS AND THIEVES

There's a time to volunteer and sow

You'll know, and you'll serve gladly

There's a time to say a direct "No"

And not feel the least bit badly

The time and effort you exert, 

Needs no explanation

You're WORKING; you're not goofing off

You're meeting expectations

Users just want what they want

"Oh, do I have to pay you?"

Do they think you live off of air

And don't need cash like they do?

Enough is certainly enough

No more guilt-ridden freebies

Want folk to work? 

Then PAY them

So that they, too, can meet their needs.

It's always folk who want theirs yesterday; 

In full; on time

Who think, among life's worthless things

Are skills like yours, and mine

They want it, sure

They just think you 

Should give it all away

And substitute some cake and punch 

For reasonable pay

Never fear, just make it clear, 

"I do not work for free"

Anyone who thinks you should, 

Is hawking slavery

You want your patio re-tiled?

Your business ledger reconciled?

Your self to get from here to there?

Your head to rock a head of hair?

Your guests to have a tasty meal?

Your face beat to match your new teal?

Your event to be graced with sound?

Your new nails to be square, not round?

Your hedges cut; your tall grass mowed?

Your selfish nature to implode?

Then, when engaging those who work

Don't be inclined to be a jerk

Always expecting others to

Do what you'd never EVER do.

What you won't do is give away

Your time or talent without pay

So why keep asking someone else

To do what you won't do yourself?

Perhaps what some demand and hoard--

And complain when they can't get it

Is stuff they really can't afford

But see the value in it 

Some people are just known for 

Seeking everything for free

They're proud to say, "Look what I got!"

What a deficiency!

But worker, don't you fall for it

Protect your livelihood

A paycheck for the work you do

Will do a lot of good

'Cause when you HAVE, then you can GIVE

They never think of that

All they want is what they want

Just to keep their pockets fat

Protect your livelihood

You teach people how to treat you

Learn how to say, "It's business"

Know the worth of what you do

Photo credit:
Laborers in the fields picking cotton. 189-. Black & white photo print, 8 x 10 in. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. , accessed 26 March 2016.