In the beginning of our businesses, most of us expect to work long hours and NOT see the immediate reflection of our work in our bank accounts. As we grow our businesses, however, it stands to reason that our time should become more valuable and we may find that we can begin evaluating how much time we are spending on a particular project or with a particular customer and ask ourselves whether the work we are doing is equal to the money we are getting paid?
I know there are those people who prefer to just do the work and then let the money part “take care of itself.” This is a business, however, and as the business owner, we do need to figure out if we are spending our time in the most efficient way and whether or not we are making the money we should be making for the effort. The only person who can really do this for us, and advocate for us—is ourselves.
When I take on new work, or evaluate the work I am already doing—I have to look at a couple things: I have to consider whether I have the time to devote to the project based on what I am told it needs and what I have to give, and I have to look at whether or not the pay is commiserate with the work and is equal to my “going rate.” I may take a lesser-paying job if the time constraints are minimal and it has the potential to turn into something more. We have to be on the lookout to make sure that we are not being taken advantage of, however, by someone who wants way more work than they are willing to pay for. Whether you evaluate your time by the project, the hour, the day, or by the customer—you have to be willing to look at how much work you have to do and balance it out with what you are getting paid (and the potential for future payment) in order to decide what work you should do and which you should pass on.
See Also: Is Going Back to Work Really Worth It?
Getting Paid to do What You Love
Is an Internship Really Worth It?