How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?
I’ve just come to realise something really interesting. I don’t know if I’m right but I think people are so much more in tune with what they really want from a project they outsource when there is a higher price to pay.
I was actually thinking about the topic of church people always doing stuff for free (which should be the way most of the time). I mean the stuff that people get paid to do outside. Its also because I took on a freelance job and don’t know what to charge. I would gladly do this one for free for a friend who’s the proxy but I’m not going to tell because I think they would not be as clear with what they want or whether they really need it.
This is something I (and probably many others) am guilty of. When one is given something for free, the reaction is to take it “just in case we need” and then discard it if we don’t. Maybe not just some material thing, but maybe a service from someone. If we’re made to pay for something first, we’d think twice about whether we really really need it before accepting. Hmmm.. I will consider accepting payment for things before starting future projects for anyone in future. I believe it really helps to clear the client’s mind about what they really want and whether they really need it. I was thinking of doing that to church but others (like kim and zg) would just fold and do it for free anyway so no point.
Just to sum it up and be a little more clear (especially the church part), sometimes free things are taken for-granted and we must continually re-evaluate and consider whether something is worth doing or not. It may be relevant now but become irrelevant later and vice versa. Putting it on the budget will spark that little consideration about whether our time and resources are being well spent by quantifying it in dollars and cents. Its like the sunday pianist. An hour of playing outside could cost anything between $30-$100. If we had to pay our pianists (because of a sudden law which says people cannot do anything for free) we still would have them play and spend money because it is almost an absolutely essential part of running the service for now. (noting that nothing stops them from giving back to the church really..) To have a pianist play is almost totally unquestionable and thats why we don’t even think about it. Consider the less essential points of running a church like taking care of the sound system, running the website, having a library, having tuitions on Saturdays, having cantatas, having camps. We shouldn’t have them just because they are good to have but more because we need them or because we know it is God’s will. I think this applies to life in general when so many things call for my attention and time and money and everything seems like a good to have.
Well, those are the thoughts for the night. Funny how money is valued more than another person’s time and talent sometimes? Next time I ask someone to help me do something for free, this will be on my mind.