Here is a little equation that I learned from a fellow artist for hire. It’s an equation that I may express to a clients and even prospective clients if I feel they begin to express unrealistic expectations. Although it can be applied to any profession in the service industry, I call it “The Equation for the Law of the Craftsman” because I feel that it particularly pertains to professions of unique and particular skills in that one is given an idea and is hired to render the idea into a real or material object.

As with many equations this one is based on three variables. These variables are Quality, Time, and Cost. And as with most clients, they will desire the best of all three. Good, Fast and Cheap! However, although they may perceive to think they can find a better craftsman that will be able to perform for them at the highest level in all three variables, they will soon find that they will run right smack into “The Equation for the Law of the Craftsman” and this “Law of the Craftsman” only allows them to have have the best in two of these three variables. And so it goes like this:

“The Equation for the Law of the Craftsman”:

You can have “good” and “fast.” But it will not be “cheap!”

You can have “fast” and “cheap.” But it will not be “good!”

You can have “cheap” and “good.” But it will not be “fast!”