Show grace | RCD project update

Hello RCD readers,

​This is the last week of the month. It has been a blessed month. I finished my dances and fixed my music 🎶. I have also been firm with my choices—something most people will eventually find out—not out of anger or spite, but because my decisions are honest and built on integrity.

​Miscommunication

​It is inevitable that mistakes will be made. In the middle of a busy day, I misread a message that required a response. Instead of reading it carefully, I glanced at it hastily and thought it said I would respond when I was ready. Of course, I missed the follow-up. So, after two days, when I went back to check and re-read everything, I naturally felt like a fool. I apologized and reopened the conversation. Yes, everyone, I was left on "read"—haha. It used to bother me, until I figured out never to take it personally. It is a waste of my emotions; I just move on. I get it:

1. ​You feel the person is too busy and will not give your project the attention it needs.
2. ​You feel that if someone cannot communicate properly over a simple message, how will the rest of the project go?
3. ​You feel disrespected because you sense a lack of interest right from the start.

​Either way, I understand each of these reasons from the client's perspective, which also helps me understand my own mistake in this.

​Misplaced Passion

​I hate when I have to be the one to say no to a client, especially when it is a referral from a client of years past. I try my best to stay firm on the boundaries of my company. I am used to people bending on things they aren't okay with just for the money, and it's true that in this economy, we can never judge ourselves or others for the choices we make to feed our families or take care of our responsibilities.

​So, when I hear the passion but notice red flags in a mismatched pairing, I try not to brush the person off. Instead, I treat every interaction with as much grace, professionalism, honesty, respect, and—most importantly—integrity as possible, while still holding onto my boundaries.

​First, I gave the entire encounter a fair shot, from agreeing to a WhatsApp video call—which wasn't requested in the initial email—to giving my expertise (for free after the first call) on a project where I was given as few photos as possible. I understand privacy concerns, but if you want someone's honest help, you should actually show them your cards; it shows a level of trust. Operating without any trust in my knowledge, or in my professionalism and ability to keep their privacy intact, is kind of insulting. But I let that go.

​When it came to my firm rule of not giving out digital design files for the project, they understood fully and offered valid points that weren't even an issue for me. But to still ask for the digital files anyway is where I stand firm on my boundary. I was honest from the start, thought about it, and my answer was still no on that part. Asking for it a second time after a "no" meant there could be no further movement on this project. I had to break the news with an honest yet professional response, making it clear that I am not the right person for them, especially since many companies would simply say yes to avoid the issue.

​Priced Too High or Too Low

​I love collaboration, and I prefer to stick with the people who brought me in. Sometimes, contractor companies use my services for their clients. So when one of my freelance bosses called, I was all for doing the consultation together. What stood out, however, was the comment, "We might use a different contractor." That really bugged me. I am not working with anyone other than the person who brought me here.

​When I came home, I had to put together an offer. Oh, if anyone remembers that blog post, finding fairness in my own worth is hard. I risk either looking too cheap or charging too much because they underestimate my presence. I sent the offer off, and now I've been waiting with no response at all from people who want to build in September.

​It Gets Lost in the Bunch

​I am a firm believer in doing things the right way. So, when I noticed my building permit process was moving slowly, I stuck to the correct route—which meant taking the longer route—and I was okay with that. So I think end of this week or next week Monday this will be done. 

At the end of the day, running a business isn't just about saying yes to every opportunity that comes your way; it's about protecting your peace, your standards, and the integrity of your craft. Whether it's learning from a miscommunication, holding a firm boundary on design files, navigating the tricky waters of pricing your worth, or trusting the long, proper road for a building permit, every hurdle is a lesson in growth.

​Here’s to closing out the month with lessons learned, boundaries respected, and a clear path forward into the next chapter.

​Until next time,