A recent spate of bad experiences in my life as a freelance editor and provider of publishing services has thrown me in a tizzy leaving me hurt and very demotivated.
For a very sensitive person setbacks especially when work relationships turn sour can unsettle you and raise your anxiety levels. And if you are one of those hard working toilers who invest too much in your work, immerse yourself completely in a project, always go the extra mile and aim for perfection because your client's work is as important to you as it is to him or her you are bound to be perturbed and begin to doubt yourself and your work.
Two months ago I took up a content writing job which was completed at the decided time. The client however did not want the content any longer and refused to pay or even do me the courtesy of answering my calls and texts. Another client broke off with me citing irreconcilable differences, the relationship turning sour, unfortunately.
It has been a turbulent time since then. But the one silver lining was the lessons I learnt from these disturbing incidents:
1. Re-strategize and Reinvent.
2. Sign contracts with each specific of your role documented.
3. Do not accept a project if you don't know anything about the client or details about the said project. Vet the client before you take on the project.
3. Always take an advance before beginning the work.
4. Always be polite and tactful. Do not let anger cloud your judgement.
5. Do not go overboard with advice and suggestions even if your aim is to help your client.
6. Learn from your mistakes.
7. Be prepared for setbacks and do not let them affect you emotionally.
8. If a client creates too much stress for you it is best to let the said client go.
9. Get expert support and guidance.
10. Adapt and scale up.
10. Say no to negativity.
11. Do not let your client guilt trip into doing something you don't want to.
12. Unforeseen challenges can be your defining moment.
13. Be ready to make difficult choices and to let go.
14. Focus on the learning and retrain your brain.
Staying calm and determined to survive in a storm is the most meaningful lesson I have learnt these past few months. I am not letting tough times and challenges overwhelm me anymore. I am dealing with my work with renewed confidence and the ability to handle any setback I will face in the future.