While in a perfect world I would offer my services pro bono, charging for money coaching will more likely ensure your own success.
I recently had someone reach out to me and, in effect, ask me to justify my rates.
I understand why. As I’ve written about before, there’s a bit of a tension in money coaching. To someone struggling with money, the idea that I want them to give more of it away? To me??
Now, of course, it’s possible to struggle with money while having plenty of it (since the struggle may come from anywhere, such as your money story) but let’s put that situation aside for now.
The important question is: how can I justify charging for my services, taking money from people who are specifically struggling with it?
It turns out that there’s a good reason, and it has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with you.
Table of Contents
Motivation
One of the processes that I find myself spending a lot of time on with clients is motivation. Working on money behavioral health is hard, since it involves some potentially painful subjects. If it were easy, I wouldn’t be needed.
So finding new ways to motivate people is a perennial interest of mine.
And every client is different. Some want reminder emails, some want more check-ins, some prefer to be left alone in between sessions. I try to accommodate my clients needs as best as I can.
A stronger motivation
But you know one other way that I’ve learned that motivates people?
Money. Specifically in this case, spending it.
Spending money, when done properly, is something you feel. The more the money, the more you feel it.
I’ve talked about buying a nice guitar and paying cash for it. A stack of hundred dollar bills left my hand, and you’re damn right I felt that, much more than if I had used a card.
Have you ever had the experience of taking classes at a university and having to pay out of pocket rather than taking out student loans? I have. The felt experience of just how expensive education is makes me very, very, motivated to work hard and do well.
When you touch a hot stove, your nerves tell you to move your hand away. If you numb your hand, you won’t feel that signal.
And spending money gives you that same signal.
And while I don’t want anyone to be in pain, I do want people to feel the results of their actions.
Freedom isn’t free
I used to do pro bono coaching, but I found that most people didn’t end up being motivated enough to do the work they needed to do.
And I’m not in the business of letting people off the hook. I approach you with empathy, patience, and understanding, but also the hard-won awareness that you’re not going to change anything by doing the same things you’ve done in the past.
I can help you make a massive impact in your financial life. I can help you make more money, keep more of what you earn, spend more authentically, and gain a greater satisfaction into the money you have.
But you need to be ready.
Feel the burn
Spending money on money coaching generates the motivation to get the most out of it.
You feel the money being spent. You will think to yourself, “I better make sure I get as much value of this as possible, as I don’t want that money I spent to be wasted.“
And once you feel that? You’re ready to work.
You’re ready to dig deep inside yourself.
You’re ready to figure out your spending.
You’re ready to make some changes to your financial behavior.
You’re ready to break through blocks you’ve long had around money.
You’re ready to do what’s necessary to change your future.
The rewards are so much bigger than the cost, but it still comes at a price. Are you ready? Then let’s get started.
