Earn as much as you can (within reason)

The credo is, ‘earn as much money as you can, given your unique skills and experience – but within reason’. John Wesley motivated his friends and students to work in a more professional manner. He taught them to get better and better in what it is they are good at, and to make more and more money while doing so. Not to become greedy, but to be able to provide well for their family, and to contribute to society. This principle is just as valuable now, as it was all those centuries ago. Besides, we are returning to a time that people have to take responsibilities themselves a lot more again. Because of the changing markets, more and more people are going to be running their own little company (just like 250 years ago), instead of being employed.

Some ideas:

1. Keep on growing in your professionalism. A professional will always be seen as a great asset. If you are aware of your unique skills, and if you keep on developing them further, you will always find work (either within a company, or on your own). So, it is vital to keep on developing as a professional.
2. Learn to present yourself well. Being able to estimate what your services are worth, and to ask for reasonable earnings is also essential for healthy finances. There are actually many professionals that are delivering excellent work, but they cannot present themselves well. And so, they do not earn as much as they should. For many professionals it is really worthwhile to participate in a short-course on presentation, just to keep fit in this aspect.
3. Train your self- and your time-management, to ensure that you work efficiently. If you work more efficiently, your worth automatically grows. A really great book on this subject is David Allen’s ‘Getting things done’!
4. To return to the ‘within reason’: earning more and more money should not become an addiction, and it must not turn money into something negative. A smart guideline here is to think about – for you – healthy working hours. Is it 6 days a week, 8 hours a day? Or 5 days, and 9 hours a day? In Switzerland there is still a 44-hour workweek. In many western European countries it is a lot less. But because everyone is unique, the ideal working hours are something else for each one of us. What do you want? What are you able to? How much do you want to earn? What other things are on your plate? There is a lot to consider, but it is important to be aware of it all, and to make conscious choices!

Perhaps give it some thought? What choices have you already made so far? Are you happy with these choices? Are you earning as much as you can?

Best regards,

Paul