Getting Paid Commandment #7
When you get up in the morning dreading your job, there is one case, one client, that comes to your mind before all others.
That client is the person you think about when you go to bed at night worrying about work.
That client’s face pops in to your mind during weekends with your family and date night with your spouse.
That client infiltrates your life — all, the, time.
That client doesn’t pay you but does suck up all your time and energy anyway.
You hate that client.
You’re at the end of your rope. You just can’t do it anymore.
And yet, you persist. You keep serving that client, even though everything inside you begs you to stop.
We all have that client. And that fact brings us to commandment #7: fire your worst client — today.
The reason is simple: your life and your firm will be significantly better once you fire your worst client.
Worst clients don’t just not pay (that’s part of what makes them the worst), they also zap you of your ability to serve your other clients well. They drain your team of energy and good will. They make it less likely you’ll go market and get new clients because you fear the new ones might be like that client.
Your worst client is ruining your law firm.
Cut the cord that binds.
You know you want to. You’ve wanted to forever. Do it, now.
If you need some more encouragement, think about this: you’ll make more money after you fire your worst client. I promise.
You’ll have so much more time and energy to devote to your team and your marketing once you free up the mental and emotional bandwidth currently being held hostage by that client.
You’ll also have the courage to say “no” to potential clients who you think aren’t a good fit and won’t pay.
That courage will cause you to accept new, better clients who pay, which will increase your revenues and the quality of your work.
You’ll like the people you serve, which will make you a better attorney, which will drive new referrals.
Firing your worst client is the beginning of a virtuous loop that will improve your firm and help you get paid 100% for the work you do.
There is only upside.
Fire your worst client — today.
