Later in my freelance career, I learned the term value-based pricing. It’s a pricing strategy where the price of my service is set based on the value it provides.

This shifted on how I look at things. I started looking at how businesses generate revenue and focus where I could help increase it or reduce costs, then I anchor my rate based off that. It worked well for me. I gravitated to companies where my skills truly added value, which made my work more enjoyable. Hindi lang basta pera.

Thinking this way has become second-nature.

Now, I try to apply it in reverse: value-based giving.

For instance, if I needed a medicine now, I’d book Grab Pabili to have someone buy it for me and bring it to my house. The time and energy I save are worth more than the total cost of the service. It makes it easy to give extra.

Another way I apply it is when I have to hire for help. I don’t haggle. I hire people to get to the same goal, I want to reach it where everyone feels they are paid fairly. Then add extra upon completion.

There are multitude ways to do this. But it all comes down to recognizing value and showing gratitude by giving back (sometimes more than what’s expected).