This One Rule Changed the Way I Freelance Forever

When I started freelance writing in 2020, I went to coffee with a writer friend who had been contracting for about 10 years.

Not only did she pour her belief into me and assure me that there’s room for me at the table, she also gave me profound advice that has stuck with me for five years.

“Their procrastination is not your emergency.”

When you start any new gig and struggle with pleasing people or setting boundaries, it can be hard to say no. 

One, because you need the money, and two, because there’s an irrational fear that if you turn down one project you’re never going to work again. PSA: That’s not true.

What I now understand about her advice is that if I allow it, clients will get away with taking advantage of my time unless I stick up for myself and protect it. 

No one is going to advocate for your boundaries – it’s up to you to protect your time, energy, and sanity. 

Five years in, I now have countless stories of clients who have come to me with an insane turnaround time for a project, and I’m so grateful I had this advice or I would have sent myself to the psych ward trying to play God and create 27 hour days to make it all happen. 

Because I know what the girlies really want – I’m going to share one of those stories.

A little over a year ago, a friend referred me for a project with a really cool client (LSU – yes, the university). I was flattered they thought of me and was excited to hear more details… until I heard them. 

The client needed six articles written for an annual report that would be sent to stakeholders and other Very Important People. Each “fluff” piece was 1-2 pages each and I’d be responsible for the research as well. The cherry on top was a two week deadline.  

If I had nothing else going on and two blissfully free weeks to dedicate to the amount of work needed for this project, I probably could have made it happen. But that wasn’t the case. 

I could tell from the energy of the project manager that this was a pressing assignment. However, it’s none of my business regarding whatever fell through that led them to a call with a random freelance writer and a two week turnaround time.

What is my business, though, is how I choose to manage my time and the amount of workload I take on. If I had said yes to this project I could have spent my nights and weekends hunkered down getting it done and charged extra for a rush fee, but I knew in my gut that the payoff wasn’t worth the sacrifice. 

So, in a professional and kind manner I told her, “Your procrastination is not my emergency.” The panic I felt coming from the other side of the screen was palpable; however, it was still not my responsibility to carry no matter how many outlines she offered to provide. 

I have no idea how this project turned out, but I do know that I slept well at night with my boundaries in place protecting my peace and sanity. 

Saying no like that gets easier over time and as a solopreneur, it’s the single most powerful tool we have.

That was not the first time I’ve had to put that principle to good use and it’s definitely not going to be the last. 

I offer it up free of charge to all of the other recovering people pleasers out there doing their best to make a living and trying to keep clients happy in the process.   

Bonus pro tip and just good life advice: You’re allowed to disappoint as many people as possible in order to not disappoint yourself.

Xo, Nicole