Why do we keep punishing ourselves?

Waking up early this morning reading a few things I stumbled on this article shared by Sandra Roy de Greeff about How Woolworths really Operates an article written by Euodia Roets, artist, illustrator and designer for Touchee Feelee – a South African home ware & pamper boutique.

I don’t know the ins and outs of this story but we’ve all seen this many times before and quite frankly Woolworths can afford to pay top Dollar even if it means the Directors and the shareholders get less, to me that is true social responsibility because that means that everyone involved in the project can get their asking price and not the “let’s do this for charity deal.”

It also left me thinking as we see this happen so many times over in many different situations.  Has the system created a world where everything is about getting the best price no matter the cost?  It seems that the only thing people care about is the return on investment, the bottom-line.  Whether it be increased profits or “hey I got this for a bargain deal” whilst forgetting what went into creating and developing that website you asked for, the phone you are using, the cushion you bought, the food you eat, someone else’s ideas you are using.

It seems that anyone who is stuck at the supplier end of the chain has the most to lose and very little to gain and I’m not referring to  just money alone.  I’m referring to that supplier’s mind, body and soul.  The energy they spend on producing and giving you the product or service you asked for.  The countless hours they have to work on giving you that end result.  The hours of research, the hours of studying and learning.  The years of perfecting their craft.  The times they’ve have to sacrifice their luxuries, whether it be spending time with family or enjoying a hobby, or just relaxing and taking time out.  Then there is the health issue, how many people today don’t exercise because there are not enough hours in the day?  How many people sacrifice looking after themselves in order to pay the bills and all because they have to work 10 times harder just to give you the best deal!

I’m curious how many of us cut costs/or our fees so that we can get business?  I know I have been guilty of this and what it cost me was so much more than just being able to get the job in to pay the bills.  It cost me my health, long hours of endless work, struggle and for what?  I’m constantly looking for the best deal from my suppliers and under cutting my own fees in order to give “the best deal” to the end user so they can get their “return on investment”  and I bet they are doing the exact same thing.  Are you doing it?  If so, at what cost?

I’d love to hear your stories of your struggles and your experience.