Pivot Your Practice: Practitioners Don’t Fall Victim to Toxic Clients Just Because You're Scared To Turn People Away
We’ve all experienced less-than-stellar clients who have the highest expectations but feel we can do nothing right. They make demand after demand but don’t listen when we try to reinforce our professional boundaries. Or they aren’t happy with the results, even when we completed the objective they had when they came.
Whilst understanding that these clients are doing the best THEY can and are as they are because of all kinds of situations in their pasts - the truth is that for some of us toxic clients like these suck the joy out of our work. And that can translate into sucking the joy out of life in general because you’re spending your free time stressing about them.
But there is hope! The fact is that there are other professionals and practitioners who will be far less bothered than you about that particular type of toxicity. Their buttons will be pushed by different clients with completely different ways of being - ones that you probably would find far less toxic! We are all human and all different and that can work to your advantage. So it IS the case that your toxic clients can find other help. You are not their only refuge!
Regain your sanity and your life’s joy by doing something different with them and taking back control of your happiness.
What?! How Can I Drop a Client?
Alexander Graham Bell is credited with the famous quote, “When one door closes, another one opens.” Quite simply, if you drop a toxic client, another client will find their way to you. It may not happen the next day but it often does! You’ll have more time to market yourself and show your audience that you have an immediate opening to fill. If you have worked consistently in providing value to your audience, they will jump at the chance to work with you.
Alternately, you can drop the toxic client and spend that newfound time creating your signature course; or focus on writing emails to your contacts and networking. You could even look for media opportunities to share your expertise, either on podcasts or as a guest blogger or radio.... I once approached a local radio station as I was doing something interesting with teaching babies sign language and I can't tell you how many families followed me up - or how often I was asked back by that radio presenter. A lot!!
Can a Toxic Client be Tamed?
If you prefer to maintain the relationship with a toxic client, you’ll need to consider two sides to the problem. There is what it is in you that has enabled this situation - and what the practical challenges are externally.
On a personal internal side you could need to grow some thicker skin, work on the cause of your fear of confronting them or work on any unhelpful beliefs you have about how you should interact with clients. In other words do what you need to do to reinforce your inner permission to have boundaries. Remember that you don't deserve to have someone being rude to you and there are ways to talk with the client to let them know this. It's a great situation to take to supervision. That is a safe place to explore the inner barriers. (Remember we are always available to book a supervision session with if you need some help and your normal supervisor isnt available.)
On the external practical side simple boundaries you can set are things like not answering emails or text messages at all hours of the day. It's really not good for you so stop it! Set business hours and tell your clients when they can expect a response. I recommend responding within 24 hours but if you don’t work weekends, tell your clients that you’ll respond only on week days and week hours and what time zone you are operating in.
Whatever other practical demands does this client expect of you?
Create a solution you can work with and inform all your clients about these changes. As fellow workers in their own professional or commercial worlds, they will likely respect and understand your need for boundaries. If they don’t, maybe it’s time to cut them loose!
Make Changes to The Way You Onboard Clients
If you have a history of attracting toxic clients, reflecting on WHY these clients find you as well as why YOU accept these types of client is a supervision issue. Are they part of your ideal target market? Are you pricing your services too low? Are you asking enough questions about THEIR needs? Are you desperate for money and afraid to say no to anyone? Be truthful - this is a hard time and I completely understand that being true for many practitioners. That kind of fear just needs to be shared and understood. It's OK to want to keep clients.
Reflect on the answers and make any practical solid changes to your practice policies and systems. Determine your ideal client; research if your prices are competitive; do you have an onboarding process where you meet up with them for an initial session to see if it is a good fit. Not only should clients interview YOU to determine if you’re a good fit but you should use this chance to interview THEM. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about their story and their current issues - but also follow your gut instinct.
Most importantly, use a contract to spell out exactly what you spoke about, what they can expect from you, and include your boundaries so there are no hidden surprises. Even though you want to build a successful and busy practice, remember that YOU are in charge of who you work with.
Having Trouble Letting Go of Toxic People? Check out our workshop…
I know personally how hard it is to let toxic people out of your practice and it’s the first lesson I cover in the latest workshop, Mindset Reset. It’s a 4-part workshop that you complete on your own schedule but each lesson contains an Action Plan for you to brainstorm ideas. Use these Action Plans to work through each lesson and reclaim your happiness and your professional energy and joy. The other 3 lessons cover: making gratitude easy, loving the real you, and giving your practice a makeover that excites you. Don’t miss out! I just know you’ll start to feel differently about life and business once you start the first lesson. Just join our link and we will let you know when we are live, doing office hours or supervision and running the course.
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This is a series for coaches and therapists who are passionate about their work and their clients but struggling to find a way to make things work post-Covid as clients melt away and money becomes an issue for most people.
This is a time when most of us are scared. Nothing is known or predictable and many of us are dithering about what to do. In fact, this indecision or even just making any unthought-through action - is something we all experience. Trouble is, it can become a habit. And it’s a habit that will derail your business success with your practice. Therapists and coaches who are successful are people who have learned to do two things. One is be flexible enough to pivot their business to what will work now - and the other is to break through enough of the fear barriers to get productive again.
Need More Happiness, Freedom and Success? Join Our Free Webinars…
If you want quick and easy steps to setting yourself up for a safe and happy future doing the work you love, join us for the free webinars. We usually give at least 5 tips for moving forward and implementing in ways that will move you forward in all of the webinars. Each is about a certain angle on the issue. They, on their own will have an immediate effect on your mood and your outlook on life with your business. Get off the hamster wheel and take some time for yourself with my webinars, learn and act, learn and act – that’s the way to start flourishing. Join my list and be the first to know when the team is online. https://forms.aweber.com/form/76/1704509576.htm
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