Mercenary

Mercenary is the money monster that I have seen lurking in the shadows of the professionals mind. A mercenary is a for profit oriented person, someone who historically is willing to kill for money, including his own countrymen. This monster whispers to the service mind and hearted "what kind of human being are you? If you really believe in helping people, you should work for free". The serving heart gets twisted into a ball of conflict and the topic of a money exchange for services rendered becomes taboo, a don't go there zone, even when the client brings the subject up. Without resolution to this conflict, multiple side effects and co-lateral damage can occur. For the service providing professional, there may be the question of worth, as in, are my services worthy of payment? There is also the risk of arrogance and claiming of accomplishment for the clients forward movement and advancement with a building up of resentment residue for said client for not appreciating "all I have sacrificed and done for you"...over time, the professional may devalue themselves, their clients and ultimately, their profession as a not so great business endeavour. There is an old adage "services rendered without payment are not valued" and herein lies the risk for the client, regardless of their progression inside of the relationship, they may feel as though what they got was second rate because it was free. This is NOT the case with all clients~I have done pro bono work that has been greatly appreciated (it is better that the offer comes from the professional and is not a suggestion on the clients part...some people are so fantastic that working with them and seeing them expand and grow is payment enough). The second feeling that may come between client and professional is one of indebtedness, a power in-balance between the two. This unhealthy growth like development can have lasting effects and diminishes both members in the relationship with emotionally strained entanglements. Lastly, it is the profession that suffers the most...when I hire someone, they get paid for their expertise, their learned skills and experience, and my trust in them being well place to deliver the goods or services I am paying for. When I am hired, it is with the understanding that my efforts to provide services will be valued by the client and there is an upfront agreement that there will be an exchange of money for service. At the root of it all is beliefs...do I believe that those who hire me will get what they came for and will be willing to pay for it? Is this mercenary? Absolutely not, "money is a measure of how hard I have worked" stated Zig Ziglar...putting heart and soul into the work makes it even more valuable. Know your business, know your value added to the lives of others and stop giving away the cow with the milk. Kill mercenary in his lying tracks.