I was watching a video today that revolved around charging people money for a skill that you are very good at. Nothing too surprising as it could be you are a marketer helping to promote a business or say a lawyer writing out contracts. But as the topic talked about a service that people really need and want it got me thinking as I am actually really bad in charging people money for things that they desperately need for their emotional health.
For example, one of my skills that I often use to help others is I am actually a very patient listener to the point where there are actually a lot of people that request for my time to listen and try and make sense of what they are feeling and the best way to overcome it. In many ways it’s almost like being a personal Councillor or psychologist of sort. But I am not certified nor claim to be doctor as to me it’s just like a buddy offering an ear. But you would be surprised as to how many people I encounter that want my time for it and are willing to pay me for that time but I don’t accept any money for that. Is that a mistake?
To me it’s one of those things that “doesn’t feel right” because it’s not my profession and it seems kind of cruel to in a sense deny someone like that. I am over exaggerating but it would be like someone phoning a crisis hotline and then you telling them you won’t talk to them unless they pay you $50/hr or something like that. But in like these situations should you charge people money for your time if it’s in demand? Again, to me it just feels uncomforting to do so whereas on paper a business guy would say that’s the whole foundation and road to a business where you have a service in need so sell it.