The importance of "letting go" is the theme of Business by Design this month.

THIS MONTH:
+ Dump the Duds
+ Let the Old Stuff Go
+ "Let Go" List

+ Let the Old Stuff Go
The unreasonable client.

The underachieving employee.

The unprofitable product line.

Those kind of headaches suck up your time and steal your profits.

Let 'em go.

One of the best ways to gain financial freedom is to eliminate the obstacles to it.

Say "see ya" to the client who bellyaches about your every bill. Bid "bye bye" to the member of your staff with the lousy attitude. Rid yourself of the products, and stop promoting the design services that never sold, and never will.

Let the Old Stuff Go
Obsolete marketing materials are more of a hindrance than a help.

Study your stuff.

Trash the moldy, oldy photos in your portfolio. Scrap outdated brochures. Burn those promotional pieces dating back to 1999. Replace that tired and uninspired voicemail message.

And look carefully at that personal promotion photo of yours. Is that really what you look like now ? If not, lose it. Fast.


"Let Go" List
I recently attended an outstanding presentation by Joe Calloway, a fellow professional speaker. He pointed out that "success means letting go of what used to work."

Calloway distributed a "let go" list, part of which I've adapted for use by design professionals.

Let go of...

+ your fee, and move it to where it really should be
+ taking any job where it's not clear what you're hired to do
+ comparing yourself to other design professionals
+ only telling your clients what they want to hear
+ not trusting your own opinion
+ your fear of doing business on the internet
+ stepping over dollars to pick up nickels