One of the hardest issues when starting out in consulting, freelancing, or entrepreneurship…
Not every problem is one that you need to solve.
This goes for choosing problems that you know you can solve, but the root problem goes deeper than you’d imagine.
If you don’t have a “if this happens, then we regroup” approach to how you manage your time, schedule, & projects, you can get caught up behind the ball & spend the rest of your time feeling like you’re playing catch up.
It’s really a simple concept, but I never translated it to my own work or my clients’ businesses until I worked with a construction company.
We have a system where we don’t touch a bathroom/remodel until he’s paid to inspect & estimate it.
Then we also set it up so he can readjust the project price if there’s something that didn’t come up with the first inspection (after demo is completed).
In some consulting relationships, you likely know more than the person you’re consulting.
If the person wasn’t hiring you to only free up their time, you’re getting paid for knowing which screw to turn.
Don’t let their lack of awareness prohibit you from doing a thorough job.
Sometimes the root problem is deep behind the surface problem you’re brought on for.