Saying Yes Until You Know When to Say No

graphic facilitation the lab Aug 12, 2024

I am in my post-Lab glow. A big thread through our three days together was my lab partners getting crystal clear on what work they want to do moving forward.

What work each of them do best. Working to their strengths. Doing the work they are uniquely qualified to do.

Here is what I know —

You say yes to everything until you learn what you want to say no to.

We were talking specifically about shaping a graphic facilitation business. But the same principles apply to anyone who does project contract work.

We want to "hang our shingle" with an immediately clear message of what we do, who we serve, how we can best meet our clients' needs.

But we don't know yet.

Every one of us says yes to a whole lot of projects, so many different types of clients, a bit of everything at first.

Through experience, we learn:

1 | Our strengths and what work we are best at delivering.
Example: If a client wants an illustrator, not a conceptualizer, I'm not the right person for the job.

2 | The types projects and logistics that work for us.
Example: Over time, I've learned that studio work with lots of back and forth revisions and changes makes me want to crawl out of my skin, and is time-consuming and expensive for my client.

3 | Spotting the red flags and green flags in potential clients.
Example: If a lead comes in last minute, I will suss out if they just discovered graphic facilitation, or if it was a "nice to have" and they had the leftover budget. How they value my role and work informs me of how integrated I can be in their process.

4 | How to better communicate our strengths.
Example: I share samples in my services document I send to a new lead that illustrate a range of projects that I have delivered great work in.

5 | How to ask the smart questions that help us determine if we are the right person for the job.
Example: Asking a new lead about their event objectives to see how clear or fuzzy they are on how I can best support them.

6 | How to advocate for we need to deliver the best work to our client.
Example: When a client wants me at the side or back of the room, I describe the power of my work in being their participants seeing their conversation take shape.

We learn through doing. Noticing what projects sing. Tough lessons being in the painful projects we can't wait to never do again.

Every project makes us better at fielding the next request, attracting better clients, and knowing when to say no.

And look. I know there are times you gotta just pay the bills.

I completely understand.

Still, the more you understand how you work best, the faster you can shape a business that keeps you paid, fed, fulfilled, and burn-out-proof.

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Saying Yes Until You Know When to Say No

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