Gentle close to the week

But first it's time to ask for more money / Issue 1,122

Oh, hi friends!

Funny thing: For the entire year, I thought I was a year older than I actually am. 

I figured this out a few days ago when Colin mentioned my birthday (which is tomorrow — Libras unite). I thought I was 36, turning 37. 

Incorrect. 

Actually 35, turning 36.

Huh.

That’s…weird.

Maybe it was the pandemic, or the fact that I might not think about age very often (or I do, and my thinking is riddled with errors). 

But now I’m wondering: What should I do with an extra year of my life? 

What would you do?

Where do you want to be on your next birthday?

I do like the nice, concrete marker a birthday provides. Here is an event, a check-in. 

Of course, you can create those check-ins whenever you’d like. 

The beginning of a month (hey, that’s tomorrow!). A holiday (happy new year to all who celebrate!). A new season, new week, anything.

You can ask:

Where am I right now.

Where do I wish to go.

And what’s the first step in getting there?

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being.”

—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Been turning this one over. Easy to say. Harder to practice. Worth the effort.

Did You Ask for More Money Today

Haven’t done this in awhile but here’s your sporadic nudge to raise your rates and ask for more. 

Why?

Because you might get it.

Because you’ll receive new information.

Because it will feel good to ask.

Here is an example that worked for someone recently:

Thank you for the additional information. I have some availability and would be glad to take on this project. Would you be able to do $$$?

That’s it! In most cases you don’t need to over-explain why you’re asking. 

We know why. More money is better. So ask for it!

See what happens. :)