One of the difficulties for people in helping professions is to take money for their help. I often hear from some psychologists: “this person felt so bad that I didn’t take money for the consultation.” By the way, I’m not talking about novice specialists who can simply practice on such cases. But in fact, psychologists are not the only ones who encounter this. And it’s easier for us to regulate such things - remember about boundaries and burnout, and you’ll immediately start taking money, if you’re not a fool, of course. But what about doctors, social workers and other helping people? How are they doing? I know it varies. I know that in our country it is especially difficult for some (or even many) to take money for help. Because many people here are accustomed to receiving it for free. I once wrote about freeloaders as a trend... So, no matter who you are - a doctor, a psychologist or a handyman - you have the right to take money for your help, because it is your job. Of course, there are exceptions when you are helping in emergencies and helping people you know. But the first is more about duty and honor, but the second is doubtful, because acquaintances may begin to abuse you, especially if you have not set a clear price for yourself. By the way, I never help acquaintances for free, and neither do acquaintances of acquaintances. I believe that any of my work costs money, and only my strategic meetings with clients are free. So, how do you still take money for help? Say that it is your job if you do something that you are a professional at. This is a tough and logical argument - why do you need people who don’t understand this basic thing. If it’s not your job to say that your time is valuable to you, that’s why you take money for unscheduled help. That’s it. There is nothing more to add here, my dear readers. If you cannot do any of this, try to think about your self-esteem - how expressed and developed it is. And how much are you willing to spend yourself completely free? Receiving nothing in return except words, and sometimes not even receiving them. It is not necessary to take money from everyone. For example, with my acquaintances whom I help, I practice barter not from the point of view of my profession. You give me - I give you. And everyone is happy and fulfilled. Business thinking in everything actually helps a lot to develop and value yourself, but it doesn’t really fit our common mentality. But the choice is always yours, who to be and how to act. What do you choose? PS There will be no discussion on the topic “what about kindness” here, because I, first of all, am for self-respect and kindness, and only after that comes a fairly high-quality return to the world. Not for free, of course!© Maria Zalesskaya. All rights reserved