Are you struggling to maintain boundaries while being friendly with clients? In this episode, I share a personal story about the turning point that made me realize the importance of setting boundaries - and how I learned to strike that balance.

From being available 24/7 to implementing strict communication rules, learn how to protect your time and energy while still maintaining a good relationship with your clients. Key points discussed include:

• understanding the difference between being liked and respected,
• defining your deal breakers, and
• how personal habits spill over into professional settings.

Join me as I delve into strategies for blending friendliness with clear boundaries.

• 00:55 The Turning Point: A Client's Disruptive Call
• 02:33 Setting Boundaries: Lessons Learned
• 05:33 The Importance of Respect and Clarity
• 06:47 Personal and Professional Boundaries
• 07:39 Practical Tips for Enforcing Boundaries
• 09:08 Communicating Boundaries Effectively

Resources

• Take the Quiz: Identify and start fixing your people-pleasing patterns today!
• Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”
• Get on the Waitlist for the next Client Contracts Crash Course!
• Schedule a Strategy Call with Sheila
• Episode 85 - Managing Unlimited Revision Requests from Clients

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Hi! I’m Sheila, your guide to a Joyful and Thriving™ creative life! I have lots of titles: attorney, social worker, coach, consultant, keynote speaker, educator. And while I’m proud of those titles, I am a human first and a title second – just like you. I want to help you reset expectations, set boundaries, and make aligned decisions, so you can streamline and focus your energy on the people, projects, and pay that actually matter to you.

Instagram: @sheilamwilkinson | LinkedIn

Rate this podcast/episode on Apple Podcasts, or leave feedback here, and be sure to leave me a voice note with a question for me to answer in a future episode!

>>>

Tired of endless revisions and unclear expectations with your clients? If so, then today’s episode is for you!

In this episode, I dive into how you can limit the number of revisions and feedback opportunities for clients by including three key sentences in your contract. Learn why it’s wrong to believe 'the client is always right' and get actionable steps to ensure both you and your clients have aligned expectations, ultimately fostering more respectful and productive professional relationships.

• 02:24 The Myth of 'The Client is Always Right'
• 03:56 Key Contract Clauses to Limit Revisions
• 05:51 Setting Client Expectations
• 07:54 The Importance of Clear Boundaries
• 09:47 Practical Steps to Implement Limits
• 11:48 Real-Life Example: Agency Experience

Resources

• Take the Quiz! Identify and start fixing your people-pleasing patterns today!
• Schedule a Strategy Call
• Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”
• Get on the Waitlist for the next Client Contracts Crash Course!

>>>

Hi! I’m Sheila, your guide to a Joyful and Thriving™ creative life! I have lots of titles: attorney, social worker, coach, consultant, keynote speaker, educator. And while I’m proud of those titles, I am a human first and a title second – just like you. I want to help you reset expectations, set boundaries, and make aligned decisions, so you can streamline and focus your energy on the people, projects, and pay that actually matter to you.

Instagram: @sheilamwilkinson | LinkedIn

Rate this podcast/episode on Apple Podcasts, or leave feedback here, and be sure to leave me a voice note with a question for me to answer in a future episode!

Do you have a framework for your client work? One that works time and time again? If not, then today’s episode is for you!

Today, we tackle an issue that's more prevalent than ever – the misguided belief in cookie-cutter solutions offered by so-called 'gurus'. Their frameworks may have worked for them, but that doesn't mean they'll work for you.

This episode delves deep into rejecting societal pressures of perfectionism, the importance of viewing life and work as experiments, and setting clear boundaries with clients.

Learn how to attract the right clients, the right projects, and the right pay by being your true self and committing to a proactive, customized approach. Let’s focus on protecting your peace, heart, and reputation, whether you're a freelancer, business owner, or employee. Tune in for actionable notes and tips including more on my free interactive guide on how to tweak your client contracts to make them more 'you'.

• 00:29 The Problem with Guru Frameworks
• 03:28 Embracing Failure as an Experiment
• 05:06 Creating Your Own Framework
• 08:08 Setting Boundaries and Expectations
• 12:53 The Importance of Contracts
• 15:24 Taking Control of Your Client Relationships

Resources

• Creatives - Take the Quiz! Identify and start fixing your people-pleasing patterns today!
• Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”
• Get on the Waitlist for the next Client Contracts Crash Course!

>>>

Hi! I’m Sheila, your guide to a Joyful and Thriving™ creative life! I have lots of titles: attorney, social worker, coach, consultant, keynote speaker, educator. And while I’m proud of those titles, I am a human first and a title second – just like you. I want to help you reset expectations, set boundaries, and make aligned decisions, so you can streamline and focus your energy on the people, projects, and pay that actually matter to you.

Instagram: @sheilamwilkinson | LinkedIn

Rate this podcast/episode on Apple Podcasts, or leave feedback here, and be sure to leave me a voice note with a question for me to answer in a future episode!

In this episode, I delve into the emotional aspects of the fear of losing clients. We’ll discuss recognizing red flags, prioritizing yourself and your needs, and clearly defining the type of clients you want to work with. I’m also sharing personal experiences and at the end, I'll provide you with a handful of actionable steps to help you identify your ideal clients. By doing so, you can be sure your work aligns with your values, ultimately leading to more satisfaction and success in your professional life.

• 00:32 The Emotional Side of Losing Clients

• 01:46 Personal Experiences and Lessons Learned

• 03:28 Finding Clarity and Defining Your Ideal Client

• 05:10 The Importance of Values in Client Selection

• 12:23 Practical Steps to Attract the Right Clients

Resources

• Schedule a Strategy Call today

• Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”

• Get on the Waitlist for the 8-Week Contracts Course

>>>

Hi! I’m Sheila, your guide to a Joyful and Thriving™ creative life! I have lots of titles: attorney, social worker, coach, consultant, keynote speaker, educator. And while I’m proud of those titles, I am a human first and a title second – just like you. I want to help you reset expectations, set boundaries, and make aligned decisions, so you can streamline and focus your energy on the people, projects, and pay that actually matter to you.

Instagram: @sheilamwilkinson | LinkedIn

Rate this podcast/episode on Apple Podcasts, or leave feedback here, and be sure to leave me a voice note with a question for me to answer in a future episode!

If you’re afraid that your client contract has some hidden pitfalls and maybe one day, it’s all going to blow up in your face, then today’s episode is for YOU!

Today, we’re talking about when you don't know, what you don't know. It’s not about the right legal wording. And it's even less about what you actually SAY in your contract. What matters more is what’s MISSING from your contract.

Today, I dive deep into how to spot what's missing and provide you with a free tool to help plug those holes and fill those gaps. Hear my story of a client who led me on a literal courtroom chase and what I learned from it about making client expectations crystal clear. Listen to find out why most problems arise from what isn't in your contracts, and how you can avoid common pitfalls by being prepared, setting clear expectations, and always staying ahead of potential problems.

• 00:05 The Importance of Missing Contract Clauses
• 01:46 A Personal Story: The Courtroom Chase
• 05:52 Lessons Learned and Contract Essentials
• 09:31 Common Client Issues and Contract Solutions
• 19:55 Real-Life Example: Bob's Contract Nightmare
• 28:58 Final Thoughts and Action Steps

Resources

• Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”
• Get on the Waitlist for the 8-Week Contracts Course
• Episode 32 - What You Need to Know Before You Sign: Contracts Basics - Including Podcast Contracts, too! (Part 1)
• Episode 33 - When to Enforce Your Agreements: Contracts Basics (Part 2)
• Episode 34 - Resolving Contract Disputes: Contracts Basics (Part 3)
• Episode 35 - Drafting Your First Contract: Contracts Basics (Part 4)
• Episode 36 - My Top 5 Tips for International Work: Contracts Basics (Part 5)

>>>

Hi! I’m Sheila, your guide to a Joyful and Thriving™ creative life! I have lots of titles: attorney, social worker, coach, consultant, keynote speaker, educator. And while I’m proud of those titles, I am a human first and a title second – just like you. I want to help you reset expectations, set boundaries, and make aligned decisions, so you can streamline and focus your energy on the people, projects, and pay that actually matter to you.

Instagram: @sheilamwilkinson | LinkedIn

Rate on Apple Podcasts, or leave feedback here, and be sure to leave me a voice note with a question for a future episode!

If you’re a self-defined people-pleaser, struggling with your identity as a Creative, then this episode is for you. I’m diving deep into what it means to be YOU.

We'll explore how creatives like you are often taught to think and feel a certain way, which leads to a disconnect between their intellectual and emotional selves. I'll share three startling statistics about the struggles many face with identity, self-worth, and confrontation, and how these affect creatives specifically.

Through a bit about my own personal journey and incorporating professional insights, we'll uncover the importance of listening to your body's true desires and how to overcome external validation and people-pleasing habits. This episode is all about finding the courage to embrace your true self, set boundaries, and live a life full of joy and authenticity.

• 02:01 Understanding Identity Struggles
• 02:38 The Pressure to Prove Yourself
• 03:43 Confrontation and Truth
• 04:58 Personal Journey and Realizations
• 07:49 Breaking Free from Expectations
• 10:20 Embracing Your True Self
• 15:12 Practical Steps to Reconnect
• 18:26 The Bigger Picture

Resources

• Your Next Step: Book a free call with me to chat about creating YOUR plan
• Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”
• Scripts for what to say when you need more space and time
• Get on the Waitlist for the 8-Week Contracts Course
• A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words: The Statistics

>>>

Hi! I’m Sheila, your guide to a Joyful and Thriving™ creative life! I have lots of titles: attorney, social worker, coach, consultant, keynote speaker, educator. And while I’m proud of those titles, I am a human first and a title second – just like you. I want to help you reset expectations, set boundaries, and make aligned decisions, so you can streamline and focus your energy on the people, projects, and pay that actually matter to you.

Instagram: @sheilamwilkinson | LinkedIn

Rate this podcast/episode on Apple Podcasts, or leave feedback here, and be sure to leave me a voice note with a question for me to answer in a future episode!

If you’re a self-proclaimed people-pleaser and having a hard time sticking to boundaries with your clients, then this episode is for you!

In this episode, I’m diving deep into the crucial topic of boundaries and am sharing a very personal, life-changing experience that very few people in the world know - it became the impetus for starting my own personal journey of overcoming trauma and learning to set boundaries. I’ll also discuss the importance of respecting and enforcing boundaries, providing practical advice on how to set and maintain them, particularly through contracts and daily interactions.

Tune in to learn practical strategies for achieving a more harmonious, Joyful and Thriving™ creative life!

• 01:57 Personal Story: Learning Boundaries the Hard Way
• 05:21 Connecting Personal Boundaries to Professional Life
• 09:16 Practical Tips for Setting Boundaries
• 13:20 The Role of Contracts in Enforcing Boundaries
• 20:24 Final Thoughts and Homework

Resources

• Free Interactive Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”
• Scripts for your Out of Office / Auto-Responder when you need more time
• Get on the Waitlist for the 8-Week Contracts Course!

>>>

Hi! I’m Sheila, your guide to a Joyful and Thriving™ creative life! I have lots of titles: attorney, social worker, coach, consultant, keynote speaker, educator. And while I’m proud of those titles, I am a human first and a title second – just like you. I want to help you reset expectations, set boundaries, and make aligned decisions, so you can streamline and focus your energy on the people, projects, and pay that actually matter to you.

Instagram: @sheilamwilkinson | LinkedIn

Rate this podcast/episode on Apple Podcasts, or leave feedback here, and be sure to leave me a voice note with a question for me to answer in a future episode!

When it comes to pricing, there's so much out there in the world telling and showing us we are not valued, when actually, all we're hearing are the loudest talkers, right? The real problem is believing in your value and not allowing society and people outside of you to change your belief in yourself.

In this episode, I discuss the importance of valuing your work appropriately and not undercharging for your services. I’m sharing my own journey helping clients navigate difficult conversations and set proper fees. We’ll dive into the pitfalls of charging lower than deserved fees, explaining how it can affect one's self-worth and client perception. I’ll provide actionable steps on how to increase rates, communicate value to clients, and break the cycle of undervaluing yourself, while setting boundaries and protecting your peace, heart, and reputation all while ensuring your contract reflects these values!

Tune in to learn practical strategies for achieving a more harmonious, Joyful and Thriving™ creative life!

• 01:10 Combining Brands and Evolving

• 01:45 The Importance of Charging What You're Worth

• 03:52 Personal Experience with Pricing

• 06:06 Understanding Your Value and Raising Prices

• 08:40 Practical Steps to Increase Your Rates

• 11:30 The Impact of Pricing on Your Business

• 21:32 Action Steps

Resources from the Show

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Graphic Designers (visited February 05, 2025).

• Listen to Episode 24 - Services

• Listen to Episode 25 - Pricing

• Waitlist for the 8-Week Contracts Course

• Free Guide: “12 Simple Tweaks to a Clearer Client Contract”

>>>

Hi! I’m Sheila, your guide to a Joyful and Thriving™ creative life! I have lots of titles: attorney, social worker, coach, consultant, keynote speaker, educator. And while I’m proud of those titles, I am a human first and a title second – just like you. I want to help you reset expectations, set boundaries, and make aligned decisions, so you can streamline and focus your energy on the people, projects, and pay that actually matter to you.

Instagram: @sheilamwilkinson | LinkedIn

Rate this podcast/episode on Apple Podcasts, or leave feedback here, and be sure to leave me a voice note with a question for me to answer in a future episode!