Feeling overwhelmed in your work? Do you hear yourself saying things like:

• I don’t have enough time.

• I’m just burnt out.

• My job isn’t fun anymore.

• I’m so stressed!

Well, there is hope to gain control over what seems to be out of control. It has been my observation (and personal experience) that many designers are simply just “too available” to their clients; especially the designers who are women. In our society, women are trained to be people pleasers. This makes it difficult to say no when a client has an unreasonable deadline or wants something for less than it’s worth.

However things may seem, the issue here is NOT with the client, but with the designer. How many times have you:

• Taken on a client against your better judgment or intuition

• Agreed to a deadline that you were uncomfortable with

• Accepted less of a fee for a product or service than you normally charge

• Worked until the wee hours of the morning to finish a project

• Driven great distances to pick up an item for your client because it was “urgent”

• Presented selection after selection to an indecisive or “fussy” client

I can sense the heads nodding in agreement. I know ~ I’ve been there myself when I owned my own design and decorating business. So, why isn’t the client to blame for all this resentment? Because you have not taught the client how to work with you on your terms. You have not set the proper boundaries for yourself.  

Using defined boundaries is a way to take control of your time, satisfaction with your career, and your personal well being. There are ways to create habits and policies for yourself. First, you must decide what you will and will not do. Then state your policies in your contracts and your conversations with your
clients.

Some examples would be:

• Don’t take on a client if your instincts tell you not to. Your intuition is there to help you know when something is right or wrong. Listen to your inner voice! Taking on a client with a bad vibe usually ends up costing you money instead of making you money. Especially in times of financial scarcity.

• Define a timeline that you feel will give you ample time to create a design plan or make selections for any project. Then, put it in writing and have your client either sign or initial it.

• Know that you or your products are worth the fee you set forth. Only compromise if it’s something that you truly believe deserves a cut in price. You are being hired for your expertise and the way you “put things together”.

• Define a work schedule for yourself and stick to it. Your family or friends will appreciate it too. So will you. Remind yourself that you need time to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Otherwise, what’s the point?

• Remind yourself and your clients that there is no real urgency (unless your contract depends upon it) in interior design/decorating. You will do your best, and you will do what is fair.

• Define in your contract how many choices you will offer before additional design fees will be charged. You are not a shopping service, although some clients get personal shopper and designer confused! They can shop at their leisure and pay you for the reassurance if that’s all they really seek. (That’s a different service entirely) I find that 2-3 choices is fair upon presentation of the design plan with an agreement to offer flexibility on specific items if needed. For instance, you create an entire scheme for the downstairs, and offer 3 design schemes. The client likes scheme number 1 very much, but wants to see a couple of alternate choices for the upholstery fabric you have selected for one of the sofas. No problem. You may agree to research for another 2 choices or so for that fabric without incurring more fees. That’s simply fine tuning the plan.

Setting boundaries does not mean that you are not performing at peak or that you are not going the  extra mile; two things that are musts in today’s  market. It’s just a way to contain what you do and when. I am a believer in giving more than your client expects. I am also a believer in doing business in a way that empowers you, not devalues you. Look for other ways to set boundaries for yourself and your business. It’s professional, it’s fair, and it’s liberating. When you have it written and verbalized to your clients, you will find that they have more  respect for your time and for you as a professional.



Cheryl Shelley Craig –   Maximizer - Optimizer - Marketing Muse, offers waterfalls of ideas for growing your business and achieving more.
Visit her Web site at: www.cherylcraig.net
Copyright © 2008 by Cheryl Shelley Craig