Protecting your time is protecting your business. I used to think people who were “good at boundaries” were just wired differently. I envied how easily they said no and stood up for themselves, while I said yes to things I didn’t want to do and quietly resented it. That’s not personality; that’s poor boundary management, and for a long time, it cost me energy, creativity, and, candidly, joy. Many creative people believe boundaries are about confidence, that some people are ju

Pricing isn't about defending your number; it's about owning it. I still recall the first time someone said, “That’s higher than I expected,” after I sent them a proposal. My initial reaction was simple: panic, followed by asking myself a series of questions:   Should I discount it? Explain every line item? Apologize for charging what I charge?   I didn’t do any of that, but the urge was strong. It was rooted in a sense of insecurity, a familiar feeling during these conversat

The case for patience in a world addicted to constant tinkering. Last week, I spent a few days ice fishing in Minnesota with industry friends. We laughed and bonded while trying to catch pike, bass, and the elusive walleye. On the plane ride home, my mind drifted to thoughts about marketing and branding, as it often does, and I realized the parallels between marketing and ice fishing. It may seem like a stretch, but stick with me for a moment. Ice fishing looks calm, quiet, a