In life, everything comes with a priceāeven if itās not always monetary. When we ask for things for free, we often fail to appreciate their real worth. Itās human nature to value things more when weāve put in effort, energy, or resources to obtain them.
Why is this?
When we invest our time or money into something, we naturally take better care of it because we recognize its value. Whether itās a product, service, or relationship, what we put in directly affects what we get out. Free things, on the other hand, can create a mindset of entitlement, where we stop appreciating the true effort that went into creating or providing them.
The truth is, when we expect handouts, weāre not just devaluing whatās offered, weāre also denying ourselves the opportunity to grow. Real value comes from earning what we have, from working for it, and from respecting the energy others have invested. Whether itās knowledge, opportunities, or material itemsāif you havenāt put in the work to earn it, chances are, you wonāt value it the way you should.
So the next time youāre tempted to ask for something free, remember: the real reward is in the effort you put in. Thatās where the true value lies.