The Client Letter
July 25, 2012
Sedona, Arizona
Sunny 62 degrees
—————————————-
The Client Letter 1 Year Anniversary Sale! Take 25% off ANYTHING on Art of Clients through Friday at midnight EST. Use promo code CL1YEAR at checkout. Go shopping here.
—————————————-
1 year ago today, I published the first issue of the Client Letter. With the exception of a 12 day “gotta think things over” hiatus, I believe I’ve published a new issue every weekday since then.
The whole idea for the website that eventually became home to the Client Letter, originally started off as a form of self-therapy.
At that time (this was a few years ago), I was just coming off a client engagement where I had made a really stupid move and paid the price for it. (The price had quite a few zeros on it.)
My error was simple really:
I believed what people said. (If you do that, read this.) I listened to my client’s plans for the future. I let my guard down and stopped looking out for el numero uno.
Even though it was only a few years ago, I really was a different person back then.
Back then, I was always enamored by successful people. I thought they had something I didn’t.
I’d meet a successful person, begin to idolize that person and then…. WHAMO… one day I’d find out that he or she was in fact human. Perish the thought.
Plus, at that time, I hadn’t fully come into my power yet. So deep down, it still felt like everyone else in the room deserved to be there, except me.
In a situation like this, it’s easy to let yourself be “led.” When the confidence isn’t there to stand on your own two feet, make your own decisions, and remain strong in the face of the consequences, you give up that power to the “experts.” And that’s when the trouble can begin.
Although it was a huge mess, I ultimately don’t fault my client. I live by a simple principle: I trust that people are doing their best in their lives at any particular time. And even though their “best” might suck, according to me and the rest of the world, it doesn’t change the fact that they’re doing the best they can.
The responsibility for the mess I’m telling you about is my own. I made dumb choices, I didn’t have the guts to stand up for myself, and things went south.
A few years later, I decided to start helping others to avoid some of the mistakes I’ve made over the years with clients.
So that’s how the Client Letter was born.
As is often the case in situations like these, I have received far more than I have given over the past year. From the wonderful comments to the many new relationships I’ve developed, this journey has been far more valuable than I ever anticipated.
And so we’ve come to the close of a year and the beginning of another. It is an amazing feeling to have (finally) found some way to make a real difference in the lives of people all over the world.
For that, I will always be grateful.
Thank you for your time, your attention and your dedication to becoming your best version of YOU.
The best is yet to come.