The holidays are approaching, and with them – more promotions. More “instead of 490 you’ll pay less,” more -20%, -30%. I’m going through this permanently now. Each subsequent holiday spiced with a promotion throws me out of my inner harmony. Sometimes I feel like shouting it out in the forest or banging it on a drum 😉
I ask myself: how much more are we able to give away, how much are we willing to sacrifice to gain a customer? Is there really no other way than paying the customer to choose us? Besides, who does the work, and who pays whom?
Ancient Hawaiian tribes used to sit in circles to resolve conflicts. It usually started with a dispute between two people. During such a tribal meeting, the arguments of both conflicting parties were heard. Then, instead of looking for a solution among those who were in the dispute, each member of the tribe would ask themselves: what is my part and cause in these two people arguing? What is the effective solution to the problem that someone is showing me?
I ask myself the same question regarding the magic of discounts: what is my part in someone thoughtlessly repeating trade patterns, and why does it affect me so much? How long can one run on a discount system, especially those concerning a completely new, valuable product? Why lower the price of something that has no competition? To be noticed because of it? Because it’s been that way for a long time? Because more will be sold?
The value of one’s work and commitment
I remember when I discovered my passion for massage – I did exactly the same. Although my offer was not new to the market at the time, I had a strange euphoria that I would convince the customer with prices. I sweated like Tuwim’s locomotive at the start. I massaged and felt appreciated that someone even decided to trust me. I massaged despite sore muscles and back, and the satisfaction with each session decreased. I “burned too much coal” to get going.
With the low price of a massage that was on promotion, each subsequent bite of this apple took something away. Promotion at the start. Three bites left in the salon for renting the place. One bite for travel. Another for massage supplies. A few more for the State, for taxes and costs. How much was left for me?
Are we worth only the core?
And you? How much is left for you after deducting all costs, time, energy you put in, and support you give to create something? Do you really think you are worth just the core?
Where does the belief come from that to sell something, you need to check competitors’ prices or offer a promotion? From a lack of self-worth, from looking at others, from the inability to price one’s commitment, from the ingrained belief that money is bad. Remember how in childhood we heard: “money doesn’t bring happiness”? A similar belief applies to sexuality, which is strongly connected to the energy of money – a topic I will describe in another text.
I agree with the theory that we could have everything necessary if the monetary system were replaced with a service exchange, but we live in a money-based system. Returning to the belief “money doesn’t bring happiness”: what do we buy food with? Favorite tea, coffee? What do we pay a good therapist, hairdresser, beautician, masseur with? Using well-performed services gives us a sense of fulfillment, relief, development, happiness. If it does, then where is the problem? In paying for these services.
We have an imbalance between receiving and giving here – a hidden form of theft. I will gladly take everything from you, but I will pay less willingly, or I pay with pain. Haven’t you ever had a situation where a client wants to buy a service for the lowest possible price? How do you feel when someone gives you a tip, and how when they try to negotiate the lowest price?
Caring for balance in giving and receiving.
When performing a massage or training for someone, I transfer energy. Before that happens, I set the price not in relation to the competition, but to my commitment and energy I put in. The price should be fair to me and bring joy. If I don’t feel enthusiasm and feel tired, it means the price was unfair to me. One might think: I did something good, I sacrificed myself – it’s a noble action. But how much of it was left for me? The core and the couch. And when I wake up and count the amount I have left for pleasures, it turns out I have no money for any.
If only the core and sadness are left, we have little to lose. So let’s open up to wealth and the flow of energy. Let’s consider what amount for our commitment to work would bring us satisfaction. Let’s set it and act. Let’s be honest with ourselves, and thus with the client. Let’s not judge ourselves as too expensive or assume that no one will come because someone else is cheaper – because that’s exactly what will happen. Let’s not be afraid to ask for more, let’s not be afraid that no one will pay us.
If we do our work honestly, let’s price it in a way that makes us happy. Pricing at a higher amount raises the value of our services and ourselves. We are in harmony with what we do and closer to realizing our dreams. Let’s allow ourselves luxury. Let’s be a brand in itself.
Summary
In the world of promotions and discounts, it’s easy to lose a sense of value of your work. Lomi Lomi massage, like courses, is more than just a service – it’s energy and commitment that bring real effects to the recipient. Instead of racing for discounts, let’s price our work to reflect its true value. Respect for one’s energy allows attracting clients who understand and appreciate this value.
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