Some times it's just better to get out when you can.

One of the best things you can do for yourself as an independent contractor is to fire the bottom 10% of your clientele. Ruthlessly.

I had to end the story in the middle.

So i got pissed waiting and waiting Friday - I called them at noon, asking if they needed me a full day Tuesday, that I had some prospective client meetings I really didn't want to change. He goes, oh we'll call you back. No call. I turned the phone off at 8.

I checked vmail this morning and he left a message at 9pm Friday. Either way, too late. I'd already said yes to the new client.

So I was pissed, sent him a note and said I'm done. He wrote back and said thanks for nothing, with a little fatherly "business is about committments and you made committments long ago....". At least I think that's what he was trying to say - the message was so garbled and rushed I'm sure he was furious.

whatever. I'm sick of being a goddamn doormat.

Huzzah!

Improve your client communication system such that you don't go through this again.

Somewhere, somehow, he decided it was okay to jerk you around; and you decided it was okay to be jerked.

I suggest stipulating the required lead-times and a hefty penalty for violation, escalating the closer it is to deadline. Make your clients know way up front what their financial interest is in being reasonable!

I think you did the right thing but FFF has some good ideas worth pursuing.

You guys are right. Especially this:

Somewhere, somehow, he decided it was okay to jerk you around; and you decided it was okay to be jerked.

In lengthy conversation with Mrs Chewy this morning, she helped me see that it's a small battle in a bigger picture. She said, "Hey! You fired your first client! That is great!"

She also said I need to figure out how not to put myself in a corner where I blow up out of nowhere (something I've done my whole life) and freak out the world and lool like a freak at the same time. All I can feel in the corner is that I'm uncomfortable and I want to get to a better place any way and as quickly as I can, which is never a good decision making atmosphere.

So as I sit here, bawling my eyes out and not entirely sure why, I think I'll take today and figure out how to get better at staying out of corners.

Thanks for being here. It really does help.

She also said I need to figure out how not to put myself in a corner where I blow up out of nowhere (something I've done my whole life) and freak out the world and lool like a freak at the same time. All I can feel in the corner is that I'm uncomfortable and I want to get to a better place any way and as quickly as I can, which is never a good decision making atmosphere.

I put myself in this position too, and it's all down to procrastination: if I did even minimal contingency planning, it would never happen, but I just don't get around to it.

chewatadistance, I have had similar problems backing myself into a corner and making a mess of things. I have no simple answers but with a bit of organization and as PST says contingency planing I find myself in a corner much less often. Also, you may want to learn some coping mechanisms that will help you deal with stress in ways that don't scare the wildlife. Again, I don't have any easy answers except to say you can change these things.

C@aD: Try this. Good resource.

Thanks everyone! FFF I put it on my wishlist after perusing several pages in the 'look inside'. I have a new client that I will be keeping my eyes and ears and communication open with. Definitely don't want to do this again.