Repeat after me, “I [state your name] will never again refer to my delivery of professional services as ‘selling my time'”.

You know who sells their time?  Day laborers. The going rate for a pair of hands and a strong back is $40 to $50 per day, plus maybe half of a hoagie. Most of them are trying to figure out how they can add value and improve their lot.

Here’s an incomplete list of things you may actually be selling:

  • Your education
  • Your professional training
  • Your professional skills
  • Your experience
  • Your accumulated wisdom
  • Your contacts and connections
  • Your reputation
  • Your passion
  • Your problem-solving abilities
  • Your communication skills
  • Your interpersonal skills
  • Your ability to persuade
  • Your empathy
  • Your personality
  • Your responsiveness
  • Your consistency
  • Your enthusiasm
  • Your creativity
  • Your kindness
  • Your friendliness
  • Your ability to think on your feet
  • Your ability to pick your battles
  • Your generosity
  • Your curiosity
  • Your ability to start
  • Your ability to finish
  • Your tenacity
  • Your loyalty
  • Your good nature
  • Your openness
  • Your ability to accept challenges
  • Your genuine caring
  • Your unselfish concern for the welfare of your client
  • Your sense of humor
  • Your sense of fairness
  • Your personal strength
  • Your leadership
  • Your ability to keep confidences
  • Your objectivity
  • Your fearlessness
  • Your trust in people
  • Your optimism
  • The assurance you bring
  • The value your bring

How exactly can you offer all of this on an hourly basis?

– Bob Gagliano

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