Lesson #3: Burn The Bridges That Are Already On Fire
I've talked about posting this and have told this story a few times to friends and other freelancers. It has always been met with the opinion that sharing my experience could look bad to potential clients or scare them off from working with me. But, in a world where 'the client is always right', I think it's important to call out when they are just downright wrong.
This lesson came from a terrible experience with a local agency. I had worked with them for a while, doing odd jobs and branding work here and there to help fill some money on the side. I was grossly underpaid, but at that point, I didn't think my work was worth more than $500 for a brand. I was just happy that someone wanted to hire me.
I didn't know my worth, so I just assumed that I wasn't worth it.
I would bend over backward just to keep any work coming in, regardless of how little I was paid or how badly I was treated. But, upon starting my own agency, they turned hostile, aggressive, and intimidating. They refused to pay on work that was delivered and manipulated me into getting what they wanted. In some Stockholm Syndrome induced flurry, I tried to hold on. I tried to maintain the relationship, because I had learned to accept what others said I was.
I tried to make everyone happy at my expense.
Eventually, the relationship faded, the invoices remained unpaid, and they took a seat in the background of my mind. I watched from afar and looked back on the time that I had stood on a burning bridge while it smoldered beneath me.
Through that experience, I learned to let those bridges burn. Creativity is a two way street and collaboration requires mutual respect. Without those two values, the work will get worse, the relationships will die, and it all becomes toxic.
Stand up for yourself and if you get pushed over, stand back up and walk away.
My Takeaway:
You have more worth than some people may tell you.
Come back tomorrow for Lesson #4: Make Sure To Celebrate The Moments Like They Are Decades
