Your 2025 Task: Fire those bad clients

I've fired so many clients over the years, it feels instantly great, then I worry for a short while (sometimes as long as 30 minutes) but longterm it was so worth it

As the year ends, it’s natural to think about resolutions: eating better, exercising more, or getting organised. But here’s one resolution every entrepreneur should consider—a business detox. It’s time to say goodbye to those toxic clients who drain your time, energy, and profits and make space for growth and joy in 2025.

Bye Bye Bad Client? Detox Move

Problematic clients are more than a minor inconvenience; they’re a liability. They cost you financially, emotionally, and mentally. The time spent juggling their endless demands, chasing payments, or cleaning up their messes could be better spent nurturing your existing great clients or finding new ones who align with your goals.

When you let go of a bad client, you reclaim valuable time—time to connect with the clients who energise you, explore additional opportunities with them, or even hit the pavement and find new clients. Yes, finding new clients can feel intimidating, but it’s also an opportunity to redefine your business on your terms.

Who Gets Your Smile?

Be honest—when you see a client’s name pop up on your phone, do you smile, don't react or roll your eyes? The clients who make you smile are the ones who respect your time, value your work, and are genuinely enjoyable to collaborate with. So why aren’t you working with more of them?

If your amazing clients are the ones who energise you, shouldn’t they get more of your time and focus? Stop wasting energy on the ones who drain you, haggle over pennies, or make you dread their calls. Instead, ask yourself: How do I attract more of the clients who make my day better? What steps can I take to deepen relationships with the ones who already do?

Make 2025 the year you unapologetically prioritise the people and businesses that make your work—and life—better. Detox the rest.

Make a Client List for Your Detox

Start your detox by categorising your clients into four buckets:

1. Amazing Clients: These are your dream clients. They value your expertise, pay on time, and trust you to do what you do best. When they call, you smile before you even pick up the phone.
2. Good Clients: Solid relationships, fair expectations, and respect. They may not blow you away, but they’re steady and reliable.
3. Bad Clients: They nitpick, haggle, and push your boundaries. You’re relieved when you send them to voicemail.
4. Nightmare Clients: They sap your energy, undermine your expertise, and demand the impossible. The thought of them calling sends a shiver down your spine.

Now, look at your list. How much time are you spending on the bad and nightmare clients versus the amazing and good ones? If you’re honest, you might find your amazing clients—the ones who make you smile—aren’t getting the time and attention they deserve. Why not focus more energy on them?

The Hidden Opportunity in Saying Goodbye

Detoxing your client list creates space to focus on the clients who matter most. Maybe you can offer additional services to your good and amazing clients, deepening those relationships. Or perhaps it’s time to go out and find new clients who bring fresh energy to your business.

Yes, getting back out there is scary. But it’s also empowering. You’re defining the kind of clients you want and building a business that aligns with your values.

Steps to Detox Your Client List

1. Evaluate Relationships: Identify which clients belong in each category.
2. Set Boundaries: For bad clients, try setting clearer expectations. If they continue to disrespect your time, it’s time to part ways.
3. Let Go with Grace: Use polite but firm language to end relationships professionally. For example: “I’ve reviewed our partnership and feel our services no longer align with your needs. We recommend [alternative provider] who may be a better fit for you.”
4. Reclaim Your Time: Reallocate the hours you’d spend on bad clients to your amazing ones—or to finding your next amazing client.