On average I’ve fired about 3-4 clients every year since 2008

Why? Because I don’t have time for “Toxic Relationships”

Toxic Relationships, Dead end My “awakening” and the following series of epiphanies began in 2008 when I was dating a Spin Instructor (all visual; no mental stimulation = imagine my joy), then it dawned on me that ALL the pictures in her house were of HER = Major Flag = Sound the Alarm = Get the Heck Out of There!.

Well, that was the beginning of the “Platform” on which I operate now. I will no longer associate or work with people whose sole focus is “All About Them”! I used to think that this popular cliche was something you only heard on TV, boy was I wrong.

You, We and Us make the world go around

After my epiphany with Ms. Spin Instructor, I started to listen more closely to conversations around me and more importantly those directed toward me. Stop and Listen: how many times can you count the words “ME” and “I” from the lips of the person you’re supposed to be having a conversation with during a 2-minute engagement? = Hint: This is a good test for those who are suspect (you will hear how great they think they are).

When you Know You’re in a Toxic Relationship with Your Boss, Client or Peer

 
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  1. They Want Something for Nothing
  2. They Don’t Know How to Say “Thank You”
  3. They Have No Qualms About Feature Creep
  4. They say They’ll “Know it When They See It”
  5. They Won’t Let You Do Your Job (Micro-Manage)
  6. Slow or NO Return On Investment (Time Suckage)

Why you might think Toxic is normal

So you’ve finally woken up and realized that the mutual pursuit and promises of joint benefits were just a “Pipe Dream”.

Successful professional relationships are possible when people respect each other and share the same values. It is a state of being mutually connected for positive purposes with positive results.

Even if “The One” is your Client = They Still Have to Respect You!

You’re in a toxic professional relationship with a Boss, Client or Peer when they:

  • Stifle your talent and limit your opportunities for advancement
  • Twist circumstances and conversations to their benefit
  • Chide or punish you for a mistake rather than help you correct it
  • Remind you constantly or publicly of a disappointing experience or missed expectations
  • Take credit or withhold recognition for new ideas and extra effort
  • Focus solely on meeting their goals and do so at your expense
  • Fail to respect your need for personal space and time

These are a few and I’ve experienced ALL of THEM!

Stop Attracting Toxic Clients

Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy

    1. Set Your Boundaries
      • Setting boundaries is one of the best ways to work with unhealthy people
      • Teach people how to treat us by what we allow
      • Healthy boundaries keep frustration and confusion low
      • Boundaries remind people of what is acceptable to you and what is reasonable to expect from you
      • Boundaries prevent unhealthy people from taking up too much of your time, energy and other valuable resources
      • Toxic people don’t like boundaries because they want to shift responsibilities according to their mood or the project

 

    1. Toxic Relationships keeps you from growing
      • Toxic Relationships takes a lot of energy and effort = Cut your losses and Move on
      • If a relationship doesn’t make you a better person; if it doesn’t challenge you to grow and evolve into a happier and more loving human being, it is not worth holding on to.
      • Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy

 

    1. Be Honest With Yourself
      • You can only change yourself = You can’t change the other person = Leave!

 

  1. Letting Go of a Toxic Relationship Makes Room for a Healthy One
    • Allow yourself the right to be with someone who will respect and appreciate you for who you are
    • Give yourself of the gift of Happiness and Freedom.

So Let’s Hope I Won’t Have to Fire Any Clients This Year

Why?

Because I’ll be making “Better Choices” = Cheers!

Need some Guidance or Ideas on how to get unstuck with a Toxic Client Relationship? = Give us a call. You’ll be glad you did.