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What You Want Is Not Up For Discussion
Spread the Word – Friends Don’t Let Friends Work With Bad Clients
  March 19, 2012
Sedona, Arizona
It’s been snowing here in Sedona for over 24 hours. By the look of the pile on the deck table, we got 8-10 inches.
I think the average annual snowfall in Sedona is only about 8 inches, so this little storm is quite out of the ordinary.
Because of the weather, I spent a good deal of the weekend thinking. Namely, thinking about what it is that I really want.
For me, that question has always been a bit more difficult than others. I used to think I was weird. But now I know that everyone has their own unique set of challenges. In other words, we’re all weird in our own way.
Answering this question fully is just one of my unqiue challenges.
I came out of the weekend with two very important reminders for myself:
First, understand who you are and be OK with that. The ability to accept yourself sets you apart from quite a few people who are struggling to be accepted by others.
Second, understand (to the best of your ability) what it is that you want and then start asking for it. No apologies required.
What you want isn’t really up for discussion. When you know what you want, you simply have to go out in the world and ask. The world might not give you what you want right away. Maybe it won’t give it to you ever… I don’t know.
That’s not really the point.
The point is that being OK with “what you want” is important.
If you need someone to tell you that what you want is OK to ask for, then you are not OK with yourself.
That’s a good thing because it shows you exactly where more work is required.
This idea is extremely valuable when working with clients.
Back in the days when I didn’t have the confidence I have now, asking for what I wanted wasn’t something I was willing to do.
And that’s because I was more interested in approval than real progress towards specific outcomes.
Things are different today.
But they didn’t change overnight.
So here’s something to try with the next new client that comes along.
Ask yourself, what do I want to have happen in order for me to work with this client?
The answer might be a dollar amount… it might be something else.
The point is that you get in the habit of asking for what you want… making the best case you can to acquire it, and then moving on with confidence regardless of what happens.
Such is life.
This is the game we play. It’s best to enjoy it.
See you next time,
Jason Leister
Editor, The Client Letter
Creating Success for Independent Professionals
ClientsSuck.net
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