Stop moaning about your clients... look in the mirror instead!

If you're in the business of website design or online/offline marketing consulting, you will be aware of the challenges that confront you when working with clients.

Most of us have a love-hate relationship with our clients. We (mostly) love the work we do for them but sometimes they can drive us mad with their demands.

I've been as guilty as anyone over the years of moaning and wingeing about clients. But I've come to realise that instead of blaming the clients, we really need to look in the mirror at ourselves to see WHY we are continually having these "challenges" with clients.

In my experience, working with clients puts you on the personal development fast track in a way that little else can do.

This business brings you face to face with your biggest issues, and forces you to deal with them.

-We attract the clients we deserve -

Are you the kind of person who has trouble saying "NO"? Then watch out, because you're going to attract clients who continually pressure you to say, "YES." (I'm talking from personal experience.)

Do you tend to have a low value of your self-worth? Then you're going to be working with clients who continually put downward pressure on your fees.

Have difficulty setting boundaries around your time? You guessed it, you'll attract clients who will expect you to be at their beck and call at all hours.

Get the picture? There's no faster way to come face to face with your own weaknesses than to start working with clients!

- Look on the bright side... -

If you're feeling stressed about a particular client relationship, or seem to have an ongoing series of difficult clients, learn to see these experiences for what they really are.... gifts sent to teach you valuable lessons about yourself.

When the pain gets bad enough, you'll finally figure out the solution - deal with your own personal shortcomings - and as a result you will have grown immensely as a person.

So, next time a client does something to annoy you, just take a breath. Be grateful for the lesson, and then move on.

If it happens a lot, be even more thankful. It just means you're in the accelerated learning programme!