The Chosen One
Starting up is a tough time. You are so eager to start working that you will work for anyone. The same happens when your business is in a slump. Whatever comes your way, you’ll probably say yes to it. After all, you need the money to pay the bills and live.
I’ve said it over and over that to build a strong brand you need to stand for something and you can’t please everyone. This has a direct effect on who you work with and more specifically who you DON’T work with. If you say yes to every business opportunity just to pay the bills, that’s the reputation you will build. You need to decide what you want to be known for and stand by it. If a new client approaches you and asks for something that you don’t feel happy doing, then politely decline the work. Better yet, find someone in your network that would like to do that job and get them working together. The latter is a win-win for you. Not only did you stand for something, you also helped someone.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you’re forbidden to slip and work on a project you don’t love when times are tough. We’ve all done it. The important thing is to not turn that single occurrence into a habit and an easy way to pay the bills. Stick to your values and try to always work on what you love. It will eventually lead to your success.
