I often speak with strangers and friends who are interested in becoming coaches and want to hear about my experience with coach training, setting up a business, client services, etc. Invariably, a statement like this is made:
But I feel like I’ve been coaching for most of my life. It comes naturally to me. How can I charge for something that’s so easy?
To which I invariably reply:
Right. Because you should only get paid if you have to struggle to produce your work. If it’s difficult for you.
Photo courtesy D’Arcy Norman
My clients sometimes come to me with similar attitudes. I work with a lot of creative and entrepreneurial types and, often, the way they make – or want to make – money (as in the actual product or service, not necessarily the business of selling said product or service) comes naturally. It’s easy. And for that, they feel badly. So they might undercharge. Or look for employment in a more difficult arena. Or never even set up shop in the first place.
Now, I’m not advocating for the follow-your-passion-and-become-a-millionaire ideology. On that front, I hold similar views as espoused in this post by Brett Kelly. I am saying, however, that what’s easy for you isn’t easy for everyone. And that, in any event, value isn’t always based on difficulty.
What’s your story around this? Do you have trouble thinking about making money or generally being employed doing something that comes naturally to you?
