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Have you ever fired a client?
About a month ago, I walked away from one of my biggest ever projects.
I was super excited about the work and got on amazingly with the client... but there were a few too many red flags. I’m not always the best at trusting my gut but I decided this time I would.
Nowadays I’m pretty back-to-back booked up, so this created an uncomfortably free section in my calendar, which made me twitch a bit, but it did give me time to work on a fun side project, and I decided to enter the Figma Makeathon… AND THEN WON $50,000.
So, if you needed a sign today to trust your gut, or evidence that saying no to a misaligned project can be valuable, this is it. One door closes, another one opens :)
@Cara Ellis that’s the best plot twist, fired a client - won 50k :DD
@Cara Ellis There have definitely been times I should have walked away but didn’t because the money was 'too good'. And every single time it’s ended up costing me more in energy, sanity or time. 😅 Such an important reminder. Aligned work and client > well-paid misaligned work. Congrats on the win again!! 👏
@Julia Spong Thanks Julia! This was my first time allowing myself to trust my gut like that and it ended up being so worth it. I know I won't be winning $50,000 every time I walk away from a project but it was such good proof from the universe that sometimes it's okay to protect your sanity!!
@Cara Ellis I Haven't got a Client, Lol
@Cara Ellis Beautifully done 🎨
@Cara Ellis okay this is such a good reminder!! intuition always knows 👀
@Cara Ellis I did yes. Best feeling in the world when you move away someone who doesn’t respect you away from your life
@Cara Ellis Period! Happy for you! I think as designers we forget that we can choose who we work with and we deadass have control. 👏🏾👏🏾✨
@Cara Ellis - that saying - "You can't have change if you don't create space for it" comes to mind. Your story is a perfect example! Thank you for sharing.
@Cara Ellis "One door closes, another one opens :)" Strong word!!! I have turned down some offers because somethings just doesnt feel right or align but mine didn't come with a big win like $50k afterwards Anyways 😂
Thanks for this Cara.
@Cara Ellis Great execution
@Cara Ellis i fear a client breakup is on the horizon for me soon! so uncomfortable when you first identify it, but the relief after is truly something else.
@Cara Ellis Trust paid off.
@Cara Ellis I also rejected a client because of my guts i was not feeling well about working with him so i rejected.
@Cara Ellis No, but I should have! I had a gut feeling after noticing all the red flags, but I tried to think logically and move forward since it is business. Lesson learned.
@Cara Ellis you did the best choice on trusting your gut, Cara! It literally paid off. How did you cope with the feeling when starting? How you manage the distress of starting this project with the chances to enter and win the competition?
@Cara Ellis Always prioritize your mental peace it’s more important than anything else.
@Cara Ellis I don't know, I've always been a if the money is good, then it's worth it type of person, maybe it's because I haven't had any crazy experience.
@Cara Ellis Wow this is one of the best hooks to a post I've ever come by, you really caught me😅
The network for creativity
Join 1.25M professional creatives like you
Connect with clients, get discovered, and run your business 100% commission-free
Creatives on Contra have earned over $150M and we are just getting started
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