My Best Career Advice: Be You, Not a Pretzel
After 7+ years in business, I’ve figured out a few things that make me my best boss ever.
I don’t schedule zoom meetings before 10 am.
I make time for coffee dates, walks and lunches with friends during the work day.
I say no to opportunities with organizations and individuals who ask me to turn myself into a pretzel to be their facilitator or coach.
The first two are pretty straightforward, energizing for me and also may not be everyone’s jam.
It’s number three that I find to be the most universal. I’ve solidly stepped into this practice within the past year and I’ve never felt more free. So, let me explain.
I offer specific coaching programs and signature talks on my website and in my potential client calls. I’ve developed these offerings after a rigorous process of identifying where I add the most value, how my clients and I can co-create magic and what gets my clients their best results.
Every so often, a potential client will ask me to radically change my offer, give them a different rate or only focus on the very tactical parts of the process.
I completely understand why they would ask. I’m all about advocating for what you need.
In the past I would have tied myself in knots and gone for it, even though the pit in my stomach was saying, “Oh hell no.”
A fellow entrepreneur friend and I now affectionately call these “Pretzel Requests.”
Somehow the imagery has helped me confirm my gut feeling and confidently go with the no.
It sounds like, “I’ve found that this is the structure where I can deliver the most value to my clients and it gets them the best results. If you’re looking for something else, we may not be a fit.”
I know I’ve made the right move every time the full body relief washes over me. It renews my confidence and belief that I can be who I am and run a successful business. In fact, the more I say no to Pretzel Requests, the more right-fit requests seem to show up soon after.
So the next time your boss, client or partner asks you to be a contortionist to do your work, think about how you can say no to Pretzel Requests in your own worthy way.