What’s that you say … you mean a client didn’t hire you, right?

No, I mean I didn’t hire them.

I just didn’t feel a good connection. So even though they were sounding interested, I gently moved out of the way and suggested some alternatives.

We are not employees – we get to choose clients just as much as they get to choose us. 

And in case you’re thinking, “easy for you to say,” you’re right. It would have been a lot harder 15 or 20 years ago when I really needed the work.

But I did the same thing then.

“Having great clients” doesn’t just happen. If you want nothing but those, you need to turn down anyone who doesn’t fit that description.

And don’t worry, the “wrong” ones are never worth the cost.