One of the reasons for stress and overwhelm comes from trying to keep up with our client’s deadlines. A client calls us wanting something by a specific date or time. In our efforts to please, we commit to something that may not be possible. This not only causes a high level of anxiety for us but also for our staff. And, in the end, we’re not producing the best quality work for our clients.
Sometimes it’s not even our clients that are setting unrealistic expectations.
Many times, we do this to ourselves by overpromising.
We do this thinking we want to serve our clients at the highest level.
But the result is underdelivering.
So how do we show up for clients at our best?
- Communicate. Give your clients realistic expectations. Be honest with them. They are busy too. They will prefer you be honest and respectful of their time and expectations.
- Underpromise and Overdeliver. Give yourself the time you need to prepare quality work. Let clients know it will take 2 days. If you finish it in 1 day – wonderful – you have over delivered.
- Respect for your staff. When you show up as your best for your clients, you also show up as your best for your staff; and your staff will show up for you and your clients at their best too. Giving your staff deadlines that suffocate will cause burnout and increase attrition rates.
- Respect for you. I left this one for the end because it is the most important. Not setting realistic expectations hurts you the most. In the end, your clients and staff will move on, but you will be left still trying to recover from the stress of the last project. Stress that will burn you out both at home and at work.
P.S. Do you have obstacles keeping you from moving forward and taking action? Are you looking for a change? Do you want someone to guide you through your journey instead of DIYing it? Join me and get started. Learn how thinking differently creates different results. Reach out to schedule a consult and learn how we can work together. Contact info: (office) 305-445-0477, (cell) 786-623-8344, or email me at emy@coralgablescounseling.
