I once knew a lady artist who often did cards and the like for fellow employees in our office. Her work was pretty, but not outstanding, and she used cheap cardboard. Still, we enjoyed any gift of art we received from her, for any occasion, birthdays, anniversaries, retirement.
One day I went to her home to help her with a computer issue I was familiar with. She lived in a large condominium that was jammed packed with her art materials. The dining room table was overflowing with completed art work, mostly cards, in her traditional style, except for one glaring difference.
These cards were beautiful! They were professionally done, on high quality paper with expensive materials. They were really good. They were awesome!
My head could not get around the discrepancy between what I saw at work and what I witnessed here. In answer to my unspoken bewilderment she said “These are for my paying customers”.
My young naive self was shocked. As an artist it never occurred to me to do less than my best for any reason.
Does it make sense on any level to do substandard work when it is for free? I felt kind of insulted that the cards I got were crap. They didn’t seem so special any more.
It is a lesson that has stuck with me many years. I am not going to give out crap because it is free. I am not saving my best for only those who will pay for it. I create for JOY. And if someone else gets joy from it, glory! Yes, I do sell my work, it costs money to create my books, photography and art. But freebies to my friends and family are of the same quality and effort.
I feel the same way about work. Whether you volunteer or are paid, give your best effort (although it is sometimes true that volunteers give more than paid workers).
I guess I am just naive.
Do your best work at all times. Not just for money.