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Priceless Value of Expertise: It's Not the Minutes, It's the Years

A man in blue overalls diligently working on a machine in a workshop.

Sometimes it's not about the complexity of the task but the depth of knowledge and experience behind it. When a giant ship's engine suddenly broke down, no one seemed capable of fixing it. In desperation, they turned to a seasoned Mechanical Engineer with over 30 years of experience. What happened next is a testament to the value of expertise and the true worth of professional skill.


He inspected the engine very carefully, from top to bottom. After seeing everything, the engineer unloaded his bag and pulled out a small hammer.


He knocked something gently. Soon, the engine came to life again. The engine has been fixed!


A week later the engineer mentioned to the ship owner that the total cost of repairing the giant ship was $20,000.


"What?!" said the owner.


"You did almost nothing. Give us a detailed bill."


The answer is simple:


Tap with a hammer: $2


Know where to knock and how much to knock: $19,998


The importance of appreciating one's expertise and experience...because those are the results of struggles, experiments, and even tears.


If I do a job in 30 minutes, I spent 20 years learning how to do that in 30 minutes. You owe me for the years, not the minutes.


This story illustrates the significance of appreciating expertise. The Mechanical Engineer's seemingly simple tap with a hammer wasn't just a stroke of luck; it was the culmination of decades of learning, experience, and skill. Next time you question the cost of a professional's services, remember this tale. You're not just paying for the time it took to complete the job—you're paying for the years of dedication, struggle, and mastery that made it possible.

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