At the time of writing, I consider myself a relatively young man, yet I’m increasingly aware of my mortality. The realization that my time on this earth is finite has been underscored by my experience of owning a business. It has intensified my understanding that I cannot afford to engage in every meeting proposed to me, especially when many of these meetings benefit others more than they do me.
I enjoy conversing with most people and assisting them whenever possible. However, spreading myself too thin across numerous directions inhibits my ability to produce quality work. To manage this, I’ve developed certain policies to navigate through unproductive meetings, allowing me to use these guidelines as a form of protection. This approach helps me alleviate the guilt of not being able to accommodate everyone’s requests.
I must admit that I do not adhere to these rules strictly. They are based on patterns observed from countless meetings, serving as a shield to safeguard my time. These guidelines are not listed in any specific order, and I acknowledge that some may appear somewhat strict or unfriendly. However, advocating for oneself sometimes requires prioritizing kindness over niceness.
Nevertheless, I remain open to making exceptions when my intuition strongly suggests doing so. Furthermore, I will share some strategies for politely declining invitations to meetings that I deem unnecessary.
Longtime “idea guy” friends
This one may come off as quite harsh, but mastering the role of a solopreneur truly hinges on the principle of doing less, not more. This approach, often misunderstood by those outside the entrepreneurial realm, emphasizes the importance of focus over diversification. Many of my friends have toyed with the idea of entrepreneurship, occasionally dipping their toes in the water, yet never fully committing.
These individuals frequently overwhelm me with numerous proposals, most of which bear little relevance to my own endeavors. They might propose grandiose business ideas, which, while ambitious, tend to overlook the practicality of starting small. Others suggest collaborations, such as podcast appearances or live streams, that never materialize.
To navigate these interactions, I’ve made it clear that while I value our friendship, I must prioritize my business strategy, which focuses on refining what works rather than expanding indiscriminately. This approach is generally well-received, though occasionally, the conversation veers back to business proposals.
People who came from nowhere on LinkedIn
Now, let’s transition to the realm of digital networking and interactions with strangers. LinkedIn’s primary purpose is to facilitate getting to know one another over various periods. This might begin with noticing someone’s comments on a mutual friend’s post, or even on your own. From there, you might connect and exchange direct messages (DMs) about notable leads or posts. This process is somewhat akin to dating—a gradual journey of building a relationship.
Approaching someone out of the blue for a LinkedIn meeting can be akin to skipping several steps in the dating process—perhaps bold, but often perceived as intrusive and potentially disastrous. If someone from LinkedIn seeks an immediate call, I generally presume they’re looking for work, seeking employment, or aiming to sell something, indicating a lack of interest in a mutually beneficial and community-focused interaction.
In such cases, my usual response is to inform them that I’m not available for new calls until a specified date, typically 2-3 months in the future. Most of the time, the individual doesn’t follow up, revealing a disinterest in fostering a long-term connection.
Software vendors
Software vendors often, but not always, fall into the category of those unexpected LinkedIn connections emerging “from nowhere.” Typically, they aim to impress you with a tool they’re developing that’s somewhat related to your field, flatter you by recognizing you as a community leader, and seek to arrange a call to discuss, essentially, how exceptional you are.
Unless they explicitly intend to offer compensation, engaging with them is seldom worthwhile. Their primary goal is to persuade you to review, demo, or promote their product, offering little benefit to you. Even when they propose starting an affiliate link, it often feels like a misuse of your time, as any information they wish to convey could easily be sent via email, allowing you to explore the software at your leisure. The process of watching someone demo their software and waiting for your reactions can be an extensive drain on your time.
Therefore, my policy with software vendors is straightforward: if they want me to explore their software, I ask them to email me the details. However, I make it clear that I am under no obligation to provide feedback, reviews, or even to look at it.
Event organizers
Many accomplished event organizers are incredibly busy managing their enterprises, much like you, making personal meetings a rarity. If you’re approached out of the blue with an invitation to discuss participation in an event, it’s crucial to ascertain whether compensation is part of the offer. Often, you might be perceived merely as a convenient, cost-free promotional opportunity, akin to an affiliate link. This scenario can lead to a significant waste of time, where you’re flattered into feeling like a cornerstone of your community, under the guise of contributing charitably to their event.
Therefore, my advice before agreeing to any meetings is to clarify if there will be any compensation for your involvement. If the expectation is for you to promote their event without any benefit to you, I would consider carefully how to respond.
Recent college graduate recruiters
This perspective also may seem a bit forthright, but when a potential client, particularly a recruiter or HR representative who appears to have recently graduated from college according to LinkedIn, reaches out, it might not be the most productive use of your time.
Often, these individuals might not fully understand their role or the intricacies of hiring, potentially leading to prolonged and unfruitful discussions. When inquiring about compensation, their responses might be vague, such as confirming it’s a paid position or promising to provide more details later without specifics, especially concerning logistics. Such situations can result in discussions about compensation levels that are often disappointingly low.
Therefore, it’s advisable to adopt a proactive stance before agreeing to any meetings. Inquire directly about their budget and project timeline. If they are hesitant to provide clear answers or still insist on a meeting without offering substantive information, it might be best to consider stepping back.
Clients who haven’t worked out in the past
There’s a prevailing notion that it’s best to move on from ex-partners, given the myriad of opportunities available without revisiting the complexities of a past relationship. I largely agree with this sentiment and would extend the analogy.
If you’ve previously encountered difficulties with a client regarding budget, timelines, or other crucial aspects, and they return later with a seemingly more flexible stance, it’s worth remembering their initial resistance. While they might now meet your financial demands, their past behavior suggests a potential for future complications, such as attempting to expand the project scope to maximize their investment. Therefore, it’s advisable to decline such meetings, keeping your schedule open for opportunities that align with your objectives and demonstrate a smoother collaboration potential.
What else?
This list was compiled spontaneously, and I’m certain there are additional insights to explore. Do you have further advice on this topic? Do you think my approach is too stringent, or do you have questions about operating a solo business? I welcome your thoughts in the comments. Crafting these types of posts brings me joy, even if they diverge from my usual Excel content and don’t attract a wide readership.
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