Kim Garst’s quote rests on a simple social truth: people take cues from how you treat your own resources. When you regularly accept last-minute favors, unpaid “quick questions,” or vague commitments, you unintentionally communicate that your time is abundant—or worse, inconsequential. In response, others often mirror that attitude, assuming they can access you without planning or reciprocity.
From there, the issue becomes less about any single request and more about the pattern it creates. Over time, “free” starts to feel like the default price, and the respect you want for your work gets quietly replaced by expectations you never agreed to. [...]
