Clarity. So many of us want it, so few of us have it. Why not? Because we’re afraid to ask for what we need and what we want. We’re afraid to say “No,” for fear of offending someone or losing what we have already gotten. It’s tough enough to do with friends, but what happens when clarity with clients can make or break us? A friend sent me this video today and I loved it. It’s for creatives dealing with clients, but I think anyone who has a business can relate. It’s changed my perception and my way of doing things. I’ve lost some major clients because they refused to sign contracts and I now feel relief at having dodged a bullet!!!

None of us has a crystal ball, or are mind readers - not on the Hollywood level anyway. I’m intuitive, but even that isn’t always helpful. The one thing that can prevent so many of the hassles we have is clarity - clarity of thought, of speech, of expectations, of needs and wants and costs. This video helped me see that the struggles I have had with clients aren’t new - that almost all of us run into the same issues from time to time. But Mike offers solutions.

I’m certainly not always right and have been remiss in communicating my expectations and conditions to people. And I’ve suffered for it. So clarity, another aspect of healthy boundaries, is now on my list of life skills to hone. It will mean taking on less work, offending those who depend on muddled communications to get what they want, and working with more people and clients I enjoy.

My take-away from this video is that unless you believe in your worth and your value and are willing to stand up for it, you’re going to be used or taken advantage of by the unscrupulous. Most clients (certainly 95% of mine) are good people willing to pay for what they get and willing to pursue a mutually beneficial relationship with a provider. It’s that five percent that give me nightmares and migraines. Mike has some excellent advice, as does his attorney who also speaks on this video.

WARNING: Contains frequent references to the ‘F’ bomb in the beginning, but only for a few minutes in case you are offended. Very good advice.

2011/03 Mike Monteiro | F*ck You. Pay Me. from SanFrancisco/CreativeMornings on Vimeo.