Stop Trading Time For Money: The Parable Of The Master Locksmith

The 90-Minute Locksmith

Once upon a time, a locksmith started a business helping people who were locked out of their homes. He charged 50,000 kyats to unlock a door. In the beginning, it took him about 90 minutes of hard work to finally get a lock open. His customers gladly paid the fee, feeling they got their money's worth because they saw how much effort he put in.

The Punishment of Efficiency

Years passed, and he mastered his craft. Eventually, it took him only 10 minutes to pop a lock open. The price was still 50,000 kyats.

But suddenly, customers started to complain. "You were only here for 10 minutes! Why do I have to pay 50,000 kyats?" They felt cheated because the visible struggle was gone.

His response changed everything: "I do not charge for my time. I charge for my skill."

The Invisible Investment

When you hire a professional, you aren't just paying for the 10 minutes it takes them to solve your problem today. You are paying for the years of practice, failures, and dedication that made a 10-minute solution possible. The customer gets back into their house faster—everyone wins—but only if the expert is valued for their result, not their time.

Build Value Beyond the Clock

We all start by selling our time to make a living, but you cannot stay there forever. If you only measure your worth by the hour, you are actively penalized for getting better, faster, and more efficient at what you do.

Build your value based on your experience and the problems you can solve. Some jobs pay $5 an hour; some pay $500 an hour. The difference isn't the clock—it’s the skill.

Spend your time mastering worthwhile things, and your time will become incredibly valuable. Manage it wisely.