A guy rushes into a hospital’s emergency room with blood gushing out of an artery and close to death.
A surgeon on call is immediately summoned and after taking a minute or two, puts his finger on the gusher, sews the guy up in 10 minutes and the patient is good as new.
A few days pass and the guy gets a bill for $25,000 for the 10 minute job. He’s ticked.
He rushes back into the hospital demanding to see the surgeon and they meet.
He says, “Doc…$25,000 for 10 minutes of work (e.g., $150,000 an hour rate) and for a few stitches and a Band-Aid?
“Whoa,” the Doc says, “Let me see that bill.”
“Sorry, we should have been more clear on your bill,” says the Doc. “It should been broken down as $2.00 for the thread, needle and Band-Aid and $24,998 for knowing where to quickly put my finger to save your life!”
Telegram: Next time you’re thinking about justifying your hourly rate, give your work the finger test. No one’s hourly rate is the same especially if there’s no clear substitute for you and your one-of-a-kind work!
