About this quote

Talent is a resource, and you waste it when you give it away to people who should be paying. We often fall into the trap of helping others at our own expense because we want to be liked. But charity does not pay your bills or establish your professional worth. Ask yourself what your skills are actually worth on the open market. If you do not demand fair compensation, people will gladly take your labor and leave you with nothing.

When to use it

• My cousin asked me to design a logo for his new restaurant for free, so I told him my rate and reminded him that if you're good at something, you never do it for free.
• When a classmate who skipped every lecture asked for my detailed exam study guides, I decided to charge them a fee instead of just handing my hard work over.
• My gym buddy wants me to write a custom meal and workout plan for him, but I need to stop giving out my professional training expertise without getting paid.
• The local community center wants me to audit their financial records over the weekend, and I should ask for a consultant fee because this is my valuable personal time.