We are taught that generosity can be an extremely good quality to have. After all, isn’t it considered a good thing when someone says “he would give you the shirt off his back?” As a home business owner, it can be positive to not just be focused on revenue and greed, but to look at ways to be more generous and give back to the customers, clients and the community. It is also important, however, to find a balance. A person can be too generous, just as a person can be too greedy and stingy.
I really do think that giving discounts and doing pro bono work can be wonderful elements of having a home business. After all, we do not have to clear things with a boss and we can take things on a case by case basis and be the one making the decision in terms of who to give to. This is empowering and can be generosity at its best. We can get into trouble, however, if we give away too much or if we get into a co-dependent situation where we are giving and giving in hopes that people will like us, it will give us power, or because we just don’t know how to say “no.”
If possible, set a plan and a budget for what you are going to give away. It is still generosity even if it is on a budget. This is incredibly common with large corporations and they will actually budget in how much pro bono work they can give how much money they will make in donations, etc. Even if you do not know where it is going to go at the beginning of the year, set yourself a budget and then when you have reached it, you can evaluate whether you really need to give more or if it is better for your business that you stop for the year.