Was talking to a friend who’s self-employed. I asked him how he’s doing financially, and he said he wasn’t making as much money as he’d like. Granted, I don’t know if anyone makes as much money as they’d like. But he had a specific figure he felt would be a comfortable income for him and his family.
So I asked him: How would you be able to get to that number? More clients? Higher per-hour rate? More consultation jobs?
It’s an important question, because if he’s working 40 hours a week and not making enough money, more clients won’t help him. More consultation jobs won’t help because he doesn’t have the extra time without sacrificing family time. For him, a higher per-hour rate would be the only way to make more money. So I suggested something to him.
I suggested he raise his hourly rate by $5 per hour. It’s a small change, but it starts getting him closer to his goal.
I realize this seems excessively simple, but I think few people think through what needs to change in order for them to reach their goals. “I need more money” isn’t enough of a focusing factor. “I need more clients” is more achievable…start making yourself more desirable to potential clients. “I need more money per hour” is achievable…figure out a way to add more value—without extra time involved—to a client so they’re willing to pay the increased price.
Identify those opportunities for growth then tackle those opportunities. Growth can’t be your goal, because growth is unspecific. Growth opens you to 5000 possibilities that don’t all work.
Focus your efforts and find your way to grow. This works for anything you want out of life.
- Want a better marriage? Maybe focus on a marriage that’s kinder. Then start being kind.
- Want to change your career? Identify what you’d love to do then find jobs that provide that.
- Want to make an impact on the world? Find the unique thing you have to offer that no one else has, then find the people who need that.
Simple, but profound.