Hey, ,

This week, I'm touching on a somewhat unconventional idea: the liberation that comes from letting customers outgrow your products or services. You might wonder why I'd suggest encouraging customers to look elsewhere.

The reason is simple yet profound: you can't please everyone, and that's okay.

Finding Joy in the Right Connections

Working with the right customers brings immense joy and satisfaction.

Imagine consistently connecting with clients who truly resonate with your values and appreciate your offerings. It's rewarding, right?

However, this means you’ll need to say no more often than yes, which can be daunting but ultimately enriching.

Learning to Say No

I revisited a powerful concept from the book Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, which I encountered during a period of personal and professional rediscovery. The idea is to focus your efforts on those who align with your core mission.

For me, that means supporting passionate creatives or those seeking more efficient workflows who love to learn. If a potential client doesn't fit this profile, I have recently been recommending them someone who might be a better fit.

This approach not only helps them find what they need, but also keeps my work true to its purpose and me in control of its direction.

Resource to Guide You

To delve deeper into this mindset, I suggest listening to the "Say No" episode of the Rework Podcast, produced by the authors of the book Rework. This episode discusses the importance of focusing on your vision and not diluting your efforts to meet every request.

The Rework Podcast - A podcast about a better way to work and run your business, from Basecamp and HEY.

Listen to the podcast

(or skip to timestamp 18:36 for the specific discussion on letting your audience outgrow you).

Reflect and Connect

I'm curious to hear from you.

What type of customer or audience are you considering letting outgrow your business? If you're unsure or need some guidance, write to me or reply here. Happy to help you navigate these decisions.

And remember, Rework is an excellent read (or listen) for anyone at the start of their business journey or those feeling the need for a change. Consider borrowing it from your local library if you're not ready to purchase a copy.

Looking forward to your thoughts and stories about this approach to your business.

Enjoy,

Matt Cici

mattcici.com