A reflection on the real value of our work and how to protect your career from the “favor” syndrome
The Call That Changed Everything
It was 11:47 PM on a Tuesday when my phone buzzed with urgency. On the other end, a familiar but desperate voice explained how their websites had been hacked and they were “losing a lot of money every minute that passed.” For an entire month, other “experts” had tried to solve the problem without success.
In less than 24 hours, I managed to recover their site. I presented a professional and detailed proposal to completely stabilize their platform and strengthen their security for $800 CAD. Their response left me cold: “I have to discuss it with my wife, I’ll call you back.”
It’s been 12 days. The silence is deafening.
The Canva Sketch That Sparked a Reflection
A few days later, a close friend—someone with whom we share family dinners and special moments—sent me an excited message. He had created a design in Canva and needed “a small favor” to polish it.
Because of the trust between us, I pointed out the conceptual errors in his sketch and immediately created an improved proposal. He asked me to wait for his client’s logo to finalize it.
It’s been 10 days. I’m still waiting.
The Discomfort We’ve All Felt
If you’re an entrepreneur, freelancer, or independent professional, you perfectly recognize that feeling in your stomach. That mix of frustration, disappointment, and something like betrayal when you realize that “trusted” people value your time and expertise at exactly… zero.
Sound familiar? How many times have you heard phrases like:
- “It’s something simple, it takes you 5 minutes”
- “I’ll buy you breakfast later”
- “It’s just to test, if it works we’ll talk about money”
- “We’re friends, can’t you do me this little favor?”
The question that tormented me for days was: Why wouldn’t any of these people think of “giving away” their own work as a test or favor?
The Invisible Line That Defines Your Destiny
Here’s the uncomfortable truth no one tells you when starting: You either have a business or you have a hobby. There’s no middle ground.
When you have a hobby:
- You work when you “feel like it”
- You charge “whatever they give you” or work for free
- You accept any condition because “something is better than nothing”
- Your time has no real value
- You depend on others’ goodwill
When you have a business:
- You establish professional schedules and processes
- You have fixed rates and clear policies
- You value your time as the most important resource
- You generate consistent and growing income
- You build commercial relationships based on mutual respect
This distinction doesn’t just define your current income—it defines your complete professional future.
The Real Cost of “Favors”
Every time you work for free “to test,” you’re sending a devastating message to the market: your work isn’t worth money. You’re training your potential clients to expect free services. You’re sabotaging not only your own income, but that of your entire industry.
But the highest cost is psychological. That constant feeling that your work isn’t valued erodes your confidence, your motivation, and your ability to dream big.
How to Protect Your Business (and Your Sanity)
1. Establish Crystal-Clear Policies
- Payment policy: 50% advance, balance on delivery
- Revision policy: Maximum 2 rounds included
- Rush policy: Urgent work has 50% surcharge
- “Friends” policy: True friends respect your profession
2. Communicate Your Value from First Contact
Don’t say: “I can help you with your logo” Say: “I offer visual identity solutions that increase brand recognition by an average of 35%”
3. Document Everything
- Signed contracts before starting
- Project scope clearly defined
- Timelines with specific dates
- Penalties for client delays
4. Practice Strategic “No”
- “My schedule is full until [specific date]”
- “That project doesn’t align with my current specialization”
- “My rate for that type of work is [amount]. Does that work for you to proceed?”
5. Build a Portfolio That Speaks for Itself
Specific testimonials, measurable results, documented success cases. When your work speaks for itself, price negotiations become irrelevant.
The Moment of Decision
Today you have a decision to make. You can continue accepting “breakfasts” as payment and hoping people will value your work out of kindness. Or you can decide that your business is exactly that: a business.
The difference between a hobby and a business isn’t in the size of your office or the number of employees. It’s in your mindset, your standards, and your ability to value your own work.
Your Next Step
If after reading this you feel that familiar pang in your stomach because you recognize your own story, it’s time to act:
- Audit your current commercial relationships: How many clients pay you what you’re really worth?
- Redefine your policies: Write them, print them, live them
- Practice saying “no”: It’s a muscle that strengthens with use
- Surround yourself with other serious professionals: Your network determines your net worth
The Final Reflection
That night, after hanging up the phone with my “urgent client,” I stayed awake thinking about something fundamental: Respect for your work begins with you. If you don’t value your time, your expertise, and your contribution, no one else will.
The good news is that once you draw that line—once you decide you have a real business—everything changes. You attract better clients, generate better income, and most importantly, you sleep peacefully knowing your work is valued and recognized.
Do you have a business or a hobby? Your answer defines not only your present, but your complete professional future.
Have you experienced similar situations? How have you handled the pressure to work “for free” out of friendship or to “test”? Share your experience in the comments. Your story could be exactly what another entrepreneur needs to read today.
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