One of the reasons I love teaching business strategy at a couple of local universities is because my class is the last stop before students graduate. There is something so fulfilling about knowing those students are about to begin a new chapter of their lives – better equipped to be more, do more, and give more. Over the years, I’ve seen students accomplish so much after graduation – I’m so proud of every one of them.
At entreQuest, we have similar experiences, and I’m pretty sure in your line of work, you do, as well. We are on a never ending mission to help our clients Grow Regardless – and what’s inherent is the reality that at some point, our clients will need to take the mindset, frameworks, processes, and foundation that we build together, and go CRUSH IT on their own. (Of course, we re-engage when they need us, and this does happen quite regularly – kind of like a personal trainer who comes back periodically to push/pull a client to new levels of fitness.)
I remember when I first started in this business, and when I “lost” my first client. They felt like they had what they needed to progress on their own. I got a bit defensive. I took it personally. To my internal team, I said things like: “they are so messed up. They’ll never be able to grow without us. What are they thinking?” It went on and on. Guess what? The company was fine. They are still in business. They have performed pretty well, as a matter of fact.
What’s the point? There will come a time when a phase of a given business relationship (or personal relationship, for that matter) will end. Check your mindset – are your lenses oriented to view this from a place of abundance? (The client will go on to do such amazing things! I so appreciate the opportunity to have worked with them, and what we’ve been able to accomplish! We learned so much from each other!) Or, are you orientated from a place of scarcity? (They won’t survive without me. Losing this client is so painful – I don’t have enough clients or revenue now. I’m not going to stay connected to them – if they don’t want to work with me/us, it is their loss; let’s see how they do without me.)
Check your head! When clients progress to a place of self-sustainment, we should celebrate. When we lift others up, it makes us collectively stronger; it improves the local, regional, and national economy better. You know this as well; when you do the right thing, it does come back to you: maybe in re-engaging in the future; maybe through direct referrals; maybe through indirect referrals; maybe just in the personal pride and satisfaction that you had massive impact – and that, in and of itself has massive power.
So, when it comes time for the next break up, watch this video from an amazing client of ours. They have accomplished incredible things, and it's been an honor working with them. They're doing great things on the Delmarva Peninsula.
And think of this quote, from Guilliame Apollinaire:
“Come to the edge, he said.
We are afraid, they said.
Come to the edge, he said.
They came to the edge,
He pushed them and they flew.
Come to the edge, Life said.
They said: We are afraid.
Come to the edge, Life said.
They came. It pushed them...
And they flew.”
