What happens when they call?
What happens when they call? Do you experience excitement, fear, or anxiety upon seeing a specific name appear while you're receiving a call? Do you answer eagerly, or do you hastily divert them to voicemail? These micro interactions serve as excellent indicators of the nature of your relationship with the caller and whether it's worth maintaining.
How frequently do you leave someone on "read" without responding? How long does it take you to reply to someone? These are all valuable metrics, gut feelings, manifesting themselves in real life.
For both myself and our agency, this stands as a foremost metric when selecting a client. When an individual approaches us seeking our services, our initial step involves scheduling a meeting with them—either in person or through a video conference. Naturally, the purpose of the call is to gather more information about the project and the individuals driving it. Yet, the most significant aspect is to gauge their vibe, their resonance, and their energy. The main takeaway from this introductory meeting should answer the following clearly: How would their call make us feel? If they were to call me on a Friday afternoon, would I eagerly answer and enthusiastically discuss the week's progress, or would I send it to voicemail with the thought, "Eh, I'll deal with this next week"? If the answer is a resounding "yes," then the likelihood of us collaborating with that individual increases significantly. If the answer is "no," then we opt not to proceed with them.
But the same can be said for many other relationships in our lives. Be it romantic, family, friends, or professional. It is super important to pay attention to these emotions because they are trying to guide us and protect our space.
When I initially decided to start my creative agency, my first requirement for creating an environment that I would love and consistently engage with was an atmosphere of peace. This criteria influenced every aspect, from hiring the internal team and seeking partnerships to identifying and selecting the right clients. The pivotal factor in these decisions revolved around whether they would enhance my personal space or disrupt my sense of peace. The rationale behind this driving force was simple: Previous experiences had lacked it. A significant portion of my professional journey was constructed upon stress and the trauma of exhaustion—characterized by tight deadlines, challenging clients, pervasive impostor syndrome, and self-doubt. I perpetually felt inadequate, consistently believing I fell short, or constantly made mistakes, leading to unmet expectations and deadlines.
This, eventually led to a mental breakdown between 2016 and 2017. Consequently, I took a year-long break, stepping away from everything—my job, family, friends, and more. For months, I even disconnected from technology, not even having a phone. During this interval, I devoted time to healing and understanding the catalyst of these struggles. I discovered that a substantial portion stemmed from my neglect of gut instincts, as I relentlessly pursued endeavors that held no relevance to me. I attempted to mold myself into something I was not. The primary factor was my failure to curate the circles around me and safeguard my energy. I indiscriminately embraced any opportunity that promised advancement and monetary gains.
These days, I exercise extreme caution in choosing with whom and how I share my life and allocate my time. In personal life, this translates to having a smaller circle of friends while genuinely treasuring the connections I maintain. I eagerly anticipate spending time with those I choose to surround myself with. In the professional realm, this involves making calculated sacrifices, but for justifiable reasons. This often entails declining substantial financial incentives, recognizing that the allure of a significant paycheck is often accompanied by substantial headaches and stress. Ultimately, such trade-offs are not worth it.
When you ask me or our agency about the criteria for collaborating with us, the answer is simple: we must be able to vibe together. Considering that an average project typically spans 3-6 months for completion, it becomes evident that a substantial amount of time will be spent in each other's company. This entails sharing a segment of your life and journey. Such a connection is only logical when you align in terms of frequency, vibes, joys, interests, and perspectives. While money may come and go, your time is finite.
One might question whether being so discerning would result in lower earnings. Initially, perhaps, but by turning away clients who would prove to be difficult, you are creating room for ideal relationships. Individuals who resonate with your values are likely to be willing to pay a premium for the same experience.
It's crucial to be straight up about your desires in life and don’t allow anyone to coerce you into actions that disrupt your peace. More often than not, you'll be surprised by the number of people who share your sentiments. By remaining authentic to your instincts, you increase the likelihood of leading the life you seek. Surrounding yourself with individuals who enhance rather than diminish it.
So, the next time you encounter a new person, ask yourself: How will I feel when they call?
